Ecclestone leaves Bahrain GP decision to crown prince

BERLIN - Formula One (F1) supremo Bernie Ecclestone said Sunday that he would leave the decision about a possible cancellation of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix to the country’s crown prince.

“He will decide whether it is safe for us to be there. I have no idea. I am not there, so I don’t know,” Ecclestone told the BBC.

The crown prince, Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifah, is also the deputy commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

The March 13 race, as well as testing due to be held a week earlier, has been thrown into jeopardy after at least six demonstrators against the ruling family were killed as unrest that has swept through the region extended to Bahrain.

Ecclestone, who has been asked by teams to give a definite answer by Monday, said they would not advise people to travel to Bahrain unless it’s safe.

He said that it would not be possible to move the March 13 race to a different venue as this was impossible for logistical reason.

However, he did not rule out that the race could be held on a different date.