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{ Bernie Ecclestone is struggling to find a free weekend in which to hold the just postponed Bahrain grand prix. Photograph: Luca Bruno/AP

Bahrain's crown prince is coming to terms with the fact his country may be unable to stage a grand prix this season. Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa called off next month's season opener following talks with the Formula One commercial rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, in response to the recent anti-government demonstrations which have resulted in six deaths. But hopes of shoe-horning another date into an already crowded calendar near the end of the season are receding.

There is a blank weekend on 20 November, between the penultimate race in Abu Dhabi on 13 November and the climax to the season in Brazil on 27 November. But that would mean three races in as many weeks and would meet with strong objections from drivers and teams, particularly if it came at the end of a close season with both world championships undecided.

Race officials in Abu Dhabi would also resist any move to follow their race with a thunder-stealer in their backyard. They are already smarting after losing the kudos of staging the last race of the season, which they held last year.

Brazil, it is understood, has paid extra money to regain that honour and nor would it welcome its race being put back a week, for it would clash with the climax to the domestic football season. The only alternative would be to stage the Bahrain race during the mid-season break in August, but the heat would be almost unbearable then.

Ecclestone said: "We're looking to see how we can slot it in. We don't know. I'm disappointed that it has now been postponed, but if you look at the way that part of the world is at the moment, it is the only thing anyone could do." Ecclestone is not out of pocket since it was Bahrain which called off the race.

Martin Whitmarsh, the McLaren team principal, joined the support for the decision, saying: "The cancellation of any grand prix is always a disappointment for all concerned but, bearing in mind the situation in the Middle East at present, we fully support the Crown Prince's decision."

The Formula One season will now start in Melbourne on March 27.

Agences de presses

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