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Ecclestone defends Bahrain GP

Paris: Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has defended the highly controversial decision to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix into the 2011 World championship calendar.

The Grand Prix was initially postponed from its original season-opening date in March due to political turmoil and civil unrest in the Gulf state.

The 2011 Bahrain GP will now be held on October 30, the original slot for the inaugural Indian GP which has been shifted to a season-closing date on December 11.

While Friday's announcement was welcomed by officials in Bahrain and India, it was met with anger by top teams and human rights organisations.

Mercedes Grand Prix team chief Ross Brawn said this week that he had told F-1 commercial ring-master Ecclestone that a December 11 finale was not an option.

Brawn said: “I think it is unacceptable and we've told Bernie that and he knows our opinion.”

Ecclestone cited “unusual circumstances” as the reason behind the decision.

Speaking to Press Association Sport, he said: “The truth of the matter is, this was voted on by the FIA, that was it. It went through the World Council.”

Bahrain officials confident

Bahraini officials maintain there will be no problems when it comes to staging the Grand Prix.

Zayed R Alzayani, chairman of the BIC, said: “By the time the Grand Prix arrives we will be able to remind the world about Bahrain at its best.

The teams, however, could yet have a say if they opt to make a stand, as is now expected of them. — AFP

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