F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone set for talks over Bahrain GP

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is set for talks with Bahrain’s crown prince to decide whether next month’s grand prix should be postponed.

Reports suggest the season’s first race could be moved to later in 2011 after violence in the Gulf kingdom.

“I shall be speaking to the crown prince, and then we can make some decisions,” said Ecclestone.

He plans to discuss the 13 March race with Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifah on Monday afternoon.

If the Bahrain event is rescheduled, the season - which lasts eight months - would start in Australia on 27 March.

The sport’s governing body, the FIA, is expected to make an official decision about the race this week. Teams had been due to test their cars in Bahrain from 3-6 March, and news on a potential alternative venue is also awaited.

“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.

“Of course, 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 relocating 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 staged, although that would see three consecutive weekends of racing.

Opposition groups and anti-government protesters in Bahrain say their demands must be met before they will 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 in the last week 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,” Ecclestone said.

“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-Khalifah and the country’s heir apparent. (www.bbcsport.com)