F1 - GP Of Bahrain Cancelled Due To Civil Unrest

According to Reuters, Bahrain Grand Prix organisers have called off the opening race of the Formula One season due to political unrest in the country.

"The Bahrain International Circuit today announced that the Kingdom of Bahrain would withdraw from hosting this year's F1 Grand Prix race so that the country can focus on its process of national dialogue," race organisers said in a statement.

With civil unrest ongoing in the Gulf state, the season-opener at the Sakhir circuit had been in doubt for some time with Bernie Ecclestone revealing at the weekend that he would leave the final call over whether to run the race to Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The state's Information Affairs Authority announced on Twitter that "Bahrain's priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions, and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together."

The race had been scheduled for March 13, and the curtain raiser for the 2011 season will now take place at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, on March 27.