India F1 race could be switched to cope with Bahrain return

The Indian Formula One Grand Prix could be shifted to a season-ending December slot if Bahrain is reinstated on the 2011 calendar, according to the Championship's rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone.

Bahrain was scheduled to open the season on 13th March, but the race was postponed due to civil unrest in the country. However, the Gulf kingdom's ruler said earlier this month that a state of emergency, imposed in March, would be lifted on 1st June, two days before a decision is due on rescheduling the race.

India's Grand Prix is due to take place in New Delhi on 30th October, but Ecclestone told Reuters: "Yes, we are having a look at it (moving the race to 4th December)."

Ecclestone added "everything's possible. We could do (move the Delhi race to the end of the season), yeah. I'm not sure at the moment what I'm going to do. Everything's up in the air. I haven't decided about it. We'll see if we have to go to Bahrain."

Mercedes GP boss Ross Brawn told Autosport that he is against disrupting the calendar further and highlighted the possible impact of an extended campaign on the teams' officials.

Brawn stated "I think we have to think about it very carefully because we are reaching a limit on what we can subject our people to.

"They have been going at it since the end of January - so to telling them to carry on through to December (with only) a few weeks off over Christmas is not going to be sustainable."

2nd February 2009 - 2011 START FOR F1 IN INDIA