Feb.17 (GMM) Cancellation of the 2011 season opener in Bahrain would likely leave a hole at the start of this year's 20-race calendar, a team boss has admitted.

Violent anti-government protests have led to this week's GP2 Asia race being called off in Bahrain.

Virgin team boss John Booth told the BBC that if a similar decision is made ahead of next month's Bahrain grand prix, it is unlikely a replacement race will be organised.

"Impractical," he said. "Our sea freight, like every other team's, left for Bahrain a month ago, and a lot of the equipment in the sea freight is vital for the running of the cars."

However, finding an alternate location for the fourth pre-season test would be simpler, amid early reports that the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi is already making its venue available.

The matters will certainly be discussed when F1 team chiefs meet on Friday.

Booth said freight for the March 3-6 Bahrain test needs to be sent by next Friday.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version