Bahrain GP could take place in summer says Ecclestone

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has put forward the possibility of running the recently postponed Bahrain Grand Prix in the summer break.

The race, scheduled for March 13, was called off last Monday by the Crown Prince, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, due to political unrest in the Gulf kingdom.

If the race is to be slotted into the calendar later this year, the previously commonly-held view is that it would follow after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in November and ahead of the final race in Brazil.

However, Ecclestone has now suggested for the first time the three-week break in August could be used to accommodate Bahrain, despite the searing temperatures that would prevail.

The average for August in Bahrain is 38 degrees Celsius, with the likelihood temperatures would soar into the mid-40s.

The idea is also likely to be unpopular with the teams as the break is seen as the traditional time when team personnel, who are often away for weeks on end, can finally spend time with their families.

Dismissing the idea of another venue replacing Bahrain, Ecclestone said: “We don’t need an alternative race anywhere in Europe or any other place. We need a race in Bahrain.

“If the Crown Prince is of the opinion that his country is able to host a race we will return to Bahrain. I think the teams are sensible enough even to race in Bahrain in the summer break, and despite high temperatures, because this is the way we can support the country.”

Ecclestone has confirmed a decision will be made before the new season-opening race on March 27 in Australia, and more than likely at next Tuesday’s meeting of the World Motor Sport Council.

“To do that (reschedule) the FIA has to change the championship calendar, and Bahrain has to apply for a new slot,” Ecclestone told formula1.com.

In an extensive interview, Ecclestone has suggested reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel will again be the man to beat this year, and is confident Michael Schumacher can be a contender if Mercedes provide him with a competitive car.

But a suggestion that will likely raise eyebrows, and a few smiles, is Ecclestone’s proposal to spice up the show.

This season sees the introduction of the adjustable rear wing to aid overtaking, but Ecclestone has come up with something far more radical to enliven events.

“Overtaking is almost impossible because in the dry there is only one line good for maximum speed because of the rubber on the track,” said Ecclestone.

“You have a completely different picture when it is wet. We always had the most exciting races in the wet so let’s think of making rain.

“There are race tracks that you can make artificially wet, and it would be easy to have such systems at a number of tracks.

“Why not let it ‘rain’ in the middle of a race? For 20 minutes or the last 10 laps? Maybe with a two-minute warning ahead of it.

“Suspense would be guaranteed, and it would be the same for all.”