MANAMA: The GP2 Series race scheduled to take place in Bahrain this week has been canceled because of protests that have led to deadly clashes with police, organizers said Thursday. “Following the current events in Bahrain, at the request of the Bahrain Motorsport Federation, it has been decided that the remainder of the meeting which was supposed to take place this week at Bahrain International Circuit is canceled,” organizers said. They added: “Due to the current local events, the medical staff normally stationed at the circuit has been temporarily called to the city's hospitals in case of an emergency.” ‘F1 in doubt' Formula One's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 13 may also have to be called off due to unrest in the country, commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone told Reuters in London Thursday. “We'll make a decision by Tuesday or Wednesday,” he said. “If things stay as they are today, the answer is no,” he added when asked whether he felt the race at Sakhir circuit would go ahead. “If it's not quietened down by Wednesday, I think we will have to cancel probably.” Ecclestone said he had spoken to Bahrain's Crown Prince earlier Thursday for an update on the situation and would speak to him again Friday. At least three people were killed overnight Wednesday after Bahraini police stormed a protest camp in a central Manama square. Ecclestone said the calendar, with a record 20 races this year, would not be shuffled around if Bahrain was canceled and the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne would therefore become the opener on its planned date of March 27. “We may try to put it (Bahrain) on again later in the year,” Ecclestone added.
