Formula 1 chiefs are considering a move to make the Indian Grand Prix the season finale on Dec. 4, as a way of slotting the Bahrain GP back on the calendar.
As discussions continue between Bernie Ecclestone, the FIA and Bahrain officials about the race returning to the schedule, high level sources have revealed that Indian officials have been asked to look at a race date change to help accommodate the Sakhir event.
AUTOSPORT reports that the current plan being favored, should Bahrain be given the green light to return to the schedule, is for the Middle Eastern race to take India's current Oct. 30 slot. There would then be a two-week gap before the Abu Dhabi GP on Nov. 13, after which the young driver test would take place from Nov. 15-17. Brazil would then keep its current Nov.27 date, with India then being moved to Dec. 4.
With the FIA due to decide on June 3 whether or not Bahrain can take place, sources suggest that chiefs want the end of season schedule reshuffle sorted before then rather than waiting to see what happens with the Gulf island state race. Although it is understood Indian officials have been asked to look at the new date, no decision has yet been made about whether it will happen.
FIA president Jean Todt said at the Turkish Grand Prix that he was happy to give Bahrain more time.
"We completely sympathize with the problems that are happening, and we all understand that it would not have been possible to keep the grand prix as the first race of the championship," he said. "I think if you are in a difficult situation, you need support. That is our responsibility. We need to give some support and it will penalize nobody to have a final answer by June 3."