By MICHAEL CASEYAP Sports WriterAP Sports WriterAssociated Press Sportsupdated 5:39 p.m. ET Feb. 17, 2011DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -The GP2 Asia Series race in Bahrain was canceled on Thursday amid anti-government protests that left four dead overnight - leaving next month's season-opening Formula One race at the same circuit in doubt.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was scheduled for March 13, with F1 workers due to be in the country 10 days earlier. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone said he will wait until next week to decide whether to go ahead with the race.
Ecclestone said he spoke on Thursday to Crown Prince Sheik Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa about the situation.
Story continues below ↓advertisement | your ad here"It's not good is it?" Ecclestone said. "We'll have to keep our eye on things and make a decision quickly. I spoke to the crown prince this morning. He doesn't know any more than you or I, but they're monitoring exactly what is going on. Next week we will make a decision on what we are going to do."
Organizers said the GP2 race slated for Friday and Saturday was called off at the request of the Bahrain Motorsport Federation.
No further information was available.
Governing body FIA has expressed confidence that the anti-government protests on the island nation in the Gulf would not prevent the running of the F1 race.
"We are constantly in touch with both the national authorities and local authorities," FIA spokesman Norman Howell said. "We are monitoring the situation."
Thousands of protesters poured into the country's main square on Tuesday in an Egypt-style rebellion that sharply escalated pressure on authorities. Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa made a rare national TV address, offering condolences for the deaths, pledging an investigation into the killings and promising to push ahead with reforms.
Riot police with tear gas and clubs early Thursday broke up a camp that anti-government protesters had set up on the square, killing four people, according to medical officials. Armed patrols prowled neighborhoods throughout the day and tanks appeared in the streets for the first time.
Public gatherings were banned on Thursday and the city was virtually locked down.
Bahrain International Circuit CEO Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa said the situation was being monitored.
"Our priority at this time is ensuring the well-being of everyone associated with this event, and we will respond appropriately to any further developments," he said in a statement.
© 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Thursday 17 February 2011
Racing canceled at F1 circuit amid Bahrain unrest - Sports- NBC Sports
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