Formula 1 commercial manager Bernie Ecclestone says he will try his best to get the Bahrain Grand Prix back on the calendar this year following the withdrawal of the event.
Bahrain finally confirmed earlier this week that the season opener would not take place as scheduled due to the unrest going on in the country.
Bahrain officials said there was no decision yet on whether the race would take place this year, and the FIA suggested the call will only be down to the governing body itself. Ecclestone, however, says he will do all he can to make sure the Sakhir race takes place this season.
"What has happened in Bahrain is desperately sad but one month ago everyone was looking forward to the race," Ecclestone told Britain's Daily Telegraph. "No one had a problem with it then. If everything is peaceful, which we hope it will be, then we will try our best to fit it in."
Ecclestone also revealed that Formula One Management will pay for the costs of the canceled event, estimated to be around $40 million.
"The fee that is normally being paid for the event is not being paid," he said. "I am not charging them for a race they are not getting.
"Whether they are covered by their insurers for loss of revenues, ticket sales, etc. I am not sure. But if anything is force majeure then that is. It is similar to if an earthquake had struck – no one could have foreseen that a month ago. If and when it is rescheduled, they will pay their usual fee."