"Yes, we are having a look at it," the 80-year-old
Briton told Reuters at the Spanish Grand Prix when asked about a possible date
change, with Bahrain taking India's current Oct. 30 place.
"Everything's possible. We could do (move the Delhi
race to the end of the season), yeah," he added. "I'm not sure at the
moment what I'm going to do. Everything's up in the air.
"I haven't decided about it. We'll see if we have to go
to Bahrain." India's first grand prix is due to be held at a circuit near
New Delhi, with Abu Dhabi and Brazil the last two races.
Bahrain had been due to open the season on March 13 but the
race was postponed because of civil unrest that has killed at least 29 people
since protests started in February.
The Gulf kingdom's ruler said this month that a state of
emergency, imposed in March after Saudi-led troops arrived to help clamp down
on protests, would be lifted on June 1 — two days before a decision is due on
rescheduling the race.
While Bahrain authorities have indicated they want to hold
the race, many in Formula One doubt it can go ahead in the current climate.
"If, security is guaranteed; if the foreign ministries
in England allow us to travel there; if my guys are happy and if there is a
race happening there, we will be happy to race there," said Renault team
boss Eric Boullier.
"But the next question would be in the political
context: Do we have to race there? That is another subject. I don't really want
to enter into that debate. But the question has to be raised. Does F1 have to
go there? It is maybe too early to go there after the dramas." Vicky
Chandhok, president of the Federation of Motorsports Clubs of India, told
Reuters in the Barcelona paddock that any date change had pros and cons.
He said the final layer of asphalt was currently being laid
and the 5.14-km circuit some 35km from New Delhi and would be ready for the
Oct. 30 race.
"They don't really need the (extra) time as far as
circuit preparation is concerned," he said.
"If it is pushed to Dec. 4...we will have the race and
then the sixth of December is the FIA world council meeting in Delhi and on the
seventh is the annual awards and the eighth is the general assembly.
"So we would have a week of Formula One and FIA in
Delhi. From that perspective it makes sense," added Chandhok, father of
racer Karun.
The logistics would be challenging however, with the freight
and cars unlikely to arrive in Delhi from the Nov. 27 Brazil Grand Prix until
the Tuesday before the race with teams then facing unfamiliar customs
formalities.
Although up to speed with paddock speculation, Chandhok
stressed he was unaware of any serious consideration of a change at this point.
"I think what they were asked perhaps was that in case
Bahrain does happen, could they accommodate a change in date," he said.
"They are OK, they understand the situation but I think
they are not participating in any active discussion on it because it's a call
that Bernie and the FIA have to make, whether Bahrain is going to go ahead or
not."
