Doubts over Bahrain, Korea and Austin

Wednesday 2nd November 2011

Doubts over Bahrain, Korea and Austin

Doubts over Bahrain, Korea and Austin

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed that there are still doubts over next year's Bahrain, Korean and United States Grands Prix.

The FIA rubberstamped the 20-race calendar for the 2012 season in August but clouds continue to linger around the three races.

Bahrain, which is set to stage a race on 22 April next year after being axed from this year's calendar due to violence in the country, still needs to prove that the political situation has stabilised while Korean promoters have admitted that are in financial difficulties.

Ecclestone admits he has adopted a wait and see policy over the two races.

"Yes, absolutely," he told Autosport when asked if he was keen for both Bahrain and Korea to remain on the schedule. "But let's wait and see."

The inaugural United States Grand Prix has been pencilled in for November 18, but Ecclestone reportedly informed team bosses during the Indian GP that there are minor question marks about race in Austin.

"I don't think they are struggling [with building the track] at all," he explained. "I think there has been a disagreement inside the company."

When asked if he was certain the race would take place in 2012, Ecclestone said: "If you had said to me a month ago, is this [the Indian GP] 100 per cent going to happen then I would have said, 'I don't know'. So ask me a month before the race is due to happen."

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