Former FIA president says it's very unlikely Bahrain GP will go on as planned
Formeru00a0FIA president says it's very unlikely Bahrainu00a0GP will go on as plannedFormer FIA president Max Mosley has said there is not the slightest chance the Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead as the teams need to unanimously agree to a change in the calendar for it to be held on October 30 or any other date.
The teams were infuriated after Bahrain was handed India's October 30 slot, with the latter switched to the second weekend in December.
On Friday the FIA World Motor Sport Council agreed to reinstate the race in place of the Indian Grand Prix,
which in turn will shift to a new date at the end of the season. Since then Bernie Ecclestone has backtracked on that plan with concerns that Bahrain might not be ready to host a race by October, casting serious doubt over the event once more.
But Mosley insists the biggest sticking point will be persuading the teams to agree to an extended calendar
Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, Mosley said: "I don't think there's the slightest chance the grand prix will actually happen.
"Apart from anything else you cannot change the calendar, in the way it has been proposed, without the unanimous agreement of the teams.
"The Council organises the event, but if there is going to be a change, for example moving the Indian event, there has to be unanimous agreement. It's absolutely part of the rules.
"So until written agreement of the teams is forthcoming, you can't actually change the date. It can't be done."
Mosley believes the rulers of Bahrain would use the grand prix "to further its aims", and "to try and give the impression that all is well in the country, when it's very far from the truth."
Mosley added: "So it almost becomes an instrument of the regime in oppressing the people who are being badly treated.
"That's when I think it goes beyond what you can accept as a sporting body."
