The Bahrain Grand Prix next month, the opening race of the 2011 Formula One season, has been called off following anti-government protests in the Gulf kingdom, organizers said Monday.
"The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) today announced that the Kingdom of Bahrain would withdraw from hosting this year's F1 Grand Prix race so that the country can focus on its process of national dialogue," a statement said.
No decision has been made on a new date for the rescheduling of the race, which was due to take place at the Sakhir circuit on March 13.
The Formula season will now begin on March 27 with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, which had traditionally been the first race of the season.
Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa informed Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone of the BIC's decision by telephone.
"At the present time the country's entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain," Prince Salman said in a statement.
"Although Bernie Ecclestone had graciously made clear that a decision on the race was entirely Bahrain's to make and was not yet required, we felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of Bahrain's Formula 1 race to a later date.
"I would like to extend my personal gratitude to Bernie Ecclestone for his support and understanding.
"After the events of the past week, our nation's priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together; reminding the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united."
The Bahrain Grand Prix has featured on the F1 calendar every year since 2004.
However this year's race had been in doubt as thousands of anti-government protesters continued to gather in Manama's Lulu Square, which has become the main focus of demonstrations in the country since February 14. At least four people have been killed in the protests.
Ecclestone said: "It is sad that Bahrain has had to withdraw from the race, we wish the whole nation well as they begin to heal their country.
"The hospitality and warmth of the people of Bahrain is a hallmark of the race there, as anyone who has been at a Bahrain Grand Prix will testify. We look forward to being back in Bahrain soon."
Red Bull's Australian driver, Mark Webber, who had earlier expressed doubts about whether it would be right to race in Bahrain, said he was now looking forward to a Melbourne opener.
"They (the organizers) know what is going on out there and they have made their call so let's go to Melbourne. Back to the good old days," he told at testing in Barcelona.
"It would have been nice to go to Bahrain but we have to wait a bit longer to have our first race and that just happens to be my home race. I always look forward to going down there. It's a sensational event."
Williams F1 chairman Adam Parr said the team fully supported the crown prince's decision.
"It is obviously disappointing for everyone involved in the organization of the event, but it is clear that to race in Bahrain at this time would be inappropriate given the current circumstances," he said on the team's website.
International automobile federation FIA said it also supported the decision to "postpone" the scheduled first race of the season.
FIA said the decision was "the outcome of the close co-operation between the FIA, Formula One Management, the Bahrain Motor Federation and the Bahrain International Circuit."
BIC chairman Zayed R. Alzayani indicated that the decision to call off the race was being regarded as a postponement.
"Bahrain's Grand Prix is a time of celebration and hosting the race is a source of great pride for Bahrain and Bahrainis," he said.
"It is a showcase to the world and we look forward to welcoming the teams and drivers and everyone involved in Formula One back to Bahrain in the very near future.
"I hope that F1 and our friends around the world will understand our decision at this difficult time."
Formula One teams took part Monday in the final day of testing in Barcelona and had been due to test their cars in Bahrain from March 3-6 in the fourth and final round of testing.
The F1 teams have rescheduled these for March 8-11 in Barcelona, the Williams F1 team said.
"The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) today announced that the Kingdom of Bahrain would withdraw from hosting this year's F1 Grand Prix race so that the country can focus on its process of national dialogue," a statement said.
No decision has been made on a new date for the rescheduling of the race, which was due to take place at the Sakhir circuit on March 13.
The Formula season will now begin on March 27 with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, which had traditionally been the first race of the season.
Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa informed Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone of the BIC's decision by telephone.
"At the present time the country's entire attention is focused on building a new national dialogue for Bahrain," Prince Salman said in a statement.
"Although Bernie Ecclestone had graciously made clear that a decision on the race was entirely Bahrain's to make and was not yet required, we felt it was important for the country to focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting of Bahrain's Formula 1 race to a later date.
"I would like to extend my personal gratitude to Bernie Ecclestone for his support and understanding.
"After the events of the past week, our nation's priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together; reminding the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united."
The Bahrain Grand Prix has featured on the F1 calendar every year since 2004.
However this year's race had been in doubt as thousands of anti-government protesters continued to gather in Manama's Lulu Square, which has become the main focus of demonstrations in the country since February 14. At least four people have been killed in the protests.
Ecclestone said: "It is sad that Bahrain has had to withdraw from the race, we wish the whole nation well as they begin to heal their country.
"The hospitality and warmth of the people of Bahrain is a hallmark of the race there, as anyone who has been at a Bahrain Grand Prix will testify. We look forward to being back in Bahrain soon."
Red Bull's Australian driver, Mark Webber, who had earlier expressed doubts about whether it would be right to race in Bahrain, said he was now looking forward to a Melbourne opener.
"They (the organizers) know what is going on out there and they have made their call so let's go to Melbourne. Back to the good old days," he told at testing in Barcelona.
"It would have been nice to go to Bahrain but we have to wait a bit longer to have our first race and that just happens to be my home race. I always look forward to going down there. It's a sensational event."
Williams F1 chairman Adam Parr said the team fully supported the crown prince's decision.
"It is obviously disappointing for everyone involved in the organization of the event, but it is clear that to race in Bahrain at this time would be inappropriate given the current circumstances," he said on the team's website.
International automobile federation FIA said it also supported the decision to "postpone" the scheduled first race of the season.
FIA said the decision was "the outcome of the close co-operation between the FIA, Formula One Management, the Bahrain Motor Federation and the Bahrain International Circuit."
BIC chairman Zayed R. Alzayani indicated that the decision to call off the race was being regarded as a postponement.
"Bahrain's Grand Prix is a time of celebration and hosting the race is a source of great pride for Bahrain and Bahrainis," he said.
"It is a showcase to the world and we look forward to welcoming the teams and drivers and everyone involved in Formula One back to Bahrain in the very near future.
"I hope that F1 and our friends around the world will understand our decision at this difficult time."
Formula One teams took part Monday in the final day of testing in Barcelona and had been due to test their cars in Bahrain from March 3-6 in the fourth and final round of testing.
The F1 teams have rescheduled these for March 8-11 in Barcelona, the Williams F1 team said.
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