Ecclestone set for Bahrain talks

An armoured personnel carrier drives past adverts for the Bahrain Grand Prix
Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is set for talks with Bahrain's crown prince on Monday to decide whether next month's grand prix should be postponed.

Reports suggest the season opener be moved from 13 March to later in 2011 after unrest in the Gulf kingdom.

"I shall be speaking to [Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa] and then we can make some decisions," said Ecclestone.

If the race was postponed the season would instead begin with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 27 March.

The sport's governing body the FIA is expected to make an official decision about the Bahrain race this week and news on a potential alternative venue is also awaited.

Teams had been due to test their cars in Bahrain from 3-6 March but that prospect now appears increasingly unlikely.

"There are two issues - the test and the race," said BBC F1 pit-lane reporter Ted Kravitz.

"We expect to hear an official decision on whether the race goes ahead from the FIA on Monday or Tuesday.

"Increasing suggestions point to a postponement rather than a cancellation but let's wait to hear official word from the FIA.

"If the race isn't going to happen neither will the test and the teams will decide in a meeting at the end of Monday whether to stay at the Barcelona track for another test next week.

"It appears the Jerez track is not available and teams would rather stay in Barcelona than relocate to Valencia or Portimao."

There are free weekends either side of the penultimate race in Abu Dhabi on 13 November when a rescheduled Bahrain contest could be incorporated although that would lead to racing being staged over three consecutive weekends at the end of an eight-month season that at 20 races is the longest in F1 history.

Opposition groups and anti-government protesters in Bahrain have said their demands must be met before they could enter into talks with the Gulf state's monarchy.

They want the government to resign, political prisoners to be released and the deaths of protesters investigated.

Six people were killed and many wounded as security forces used deadly force to quell protests.

Earlier, Ecclestone had told BBC Sport that the crown prince was best placed to make the call over the Bahrain Grand Prix.

"He will decide whether it's safe for us to be there," added Ecclestone.

"I've no idea. I'm not there so I don't know."

He added: "We won't advise people to go unless it's safe."

The crown prince is the son of the Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa and the country's heir apparent.

Red Bull driver Mark Webber is among those to have expressed doubts about whether the Bahrain Grand Prix should go ahead.

"When you hear of people losing their lives, this is a tragedy," said the Australian.

"It's probably not the best time to go there for a sporting event. They have bigger things, bigger priorities."

A.nemdil & Press Agencies