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Bernie Ecclestone: ask the teams. Luca Bruno/AP/Press Association Images
F1

'Don't ask us' say Formula One teams on Bahrain race decision

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone implied this week FOTA would make the key decision on whether to stage this year’s race in the troubled Middle Eastern state.

THE FORMULA ONE Teams’ Association has rejected claims it will have the final say on staging the controversial 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone implied this week FOTA would make the key decision on whether to stage this year’s race in the troubled Middle Eastern state.

But the organisation has contradicted Ecclestone, deferring responsibility to the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

“There’s been some media speculation recently to the effect the teams may seek to cancel this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix,” Fota said in a statement.

“That wouldn’t be possible. Teams are unable to cancel grands prix. We race in an international series called the FIA Formula One world championship, and it is therefore for the FIA to offer the teams guidance on these issues.”

The 2012 Bahrain GP is set to be held on April 22.  Last year’s race was initially postponed and later cancelled altogether following pro-democracy protests and a subsequent violent crackdown by the country’s authoritarian government.

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