The BIC Chairman on the Monaco grid after a chat with Bernie
Although there has been no confirmation yet from the FIA the Bahrain circuit has announced that the race will be on in 2011.
As expected, the date will be October 30, although the official BIC statement, reproduced here, doesn’t specify it:
The head of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) today welcomed the decision of the FIA (Federation Internationale de L’Automobile) World Motor Sport Council to reintroduce the Bahrain Grand Prix to the 2011 calendar.
The decision, announced by the FIA after the Council’s meeting in Barcelona, follows a FIA delegation visit to Bahrain to assess the situation in country this week.
Zayed R. Alzayani, Chairman of the BIC, said: “This is welcome news for all of Bahrain. As a country we have faced a difficult time, but stability has returned; with businesses operating close to normal, the State of National Safety lifted and countries removing travel restrictions.
“Collectively, we are in the process of addressing issues of national and international concern, and learning lessons from the recent past. By the time the Grand Prix arrives we will be able to remind the world about Bahrain at its best.
“The Bahrain Grand Prix has always been a source of national pride and it is an event than transcends politics. Not only does it receive strong support from the Government, but also from all major parties in Bahrain, including our largest opposition group, Al Wefaq, who yesterday endorsed both the BIC and motor-racing in Bahrain.
“Importantly, it will also offer a significant boost to the economy. The Grand Prix attracts 100,000 visitors, supports 3,000 jobs and generates around $500m of economic benefit. Its positive effect will be felt throughout the country.
“On behalf of Bahrain, I would like to thank Bernie Ecclestone, Jean Todt and the FIA and the rest of the motorsport community for the support and understanding they have extended to us this year.”
Adam Cooper F1 
It is unbelievably ironic that they have had the race reinstated on a day when the police have attacked protesters. I’m not sure I’ll want to watch this race when it comes round.
Yep I won’t be watching and will be writing F1 sponors.
What if decide not to go? “Can” they do that?
It is absolutely disgraceful that the FIA have ok’d this… They have gambled the safety of the teams, journalists and more importantly, the fans travelling to the race just to make some money. It’s time for FOTA to show us what they’re made of and boycott the race.
I have been against Bahrain holding a GP this year since the start of troubles in the country before the start of the F1 season. Now it has been reinstated, I can think of just one positive aspect to the decision. The worlds media will now focus on the country. If abuses are happening (and I suspect they are), the stories will be found and published widely.
As an aside, I am glad that this will not be the last race of the season. I will not watch it under any circumstances but would have been sad to miss the end of an F1 season for the first time in over 20 yrs.
Bahrain will be picking up lessons from China on how to keep that secret, no doubt.
On another note, it’s time to cheer for Vettel and Red Bull. The best thing that can happen is them wrapping up the titles by Korea, to make Bahrain an irrelevant race.
@ Mick,
The abuses are still very much happening.
That shows the WMSC up as a bunch of greedy, spineless cowards. I think it could still be overthrown again in the future, depending on the situation in Bahrain in the months and weeks before the race, and they could still blame their insurance partners for it. Here’s hoping.
I’m 100% sure that this is the wrong decision, and 0% surprised that the FIA and FOM have made it.
I am completely embarrassed and angry to be an F1 fan today, it is shameful mark against the sport I love. I’m clearly not alone – I’ve not seen a single happy tweet about the decision all afternoon.
I hope the teams show some balls to stand together against this and boycott the race. If not them, then the journalists could do their part by not reporting on it – don’t give this nasty repressive regime the publicity that it so craves.
I for one will not be watching the race if it happens. In the last 25 years I have missed only a handful of races in circumstances outside my control – this will be the first in that time I will actively choose to miss. I encourage all other fans of the sport to do the same. A message need to be sent to the FIA and FOM.
I won’t be watching – only the third race missed in 24 years and like Lopek the first I will boycott deliberately. Sponsor’s take note.
Unfortunately I’m also not surprised at the FIA decision – upset and disappointed but not surprised