Formula 1's ruling body, the FIA, says it fully supports Bahrain's decision to withdraw the opening race of the 2011 season.
Following days of uncertainty, the Bahrain International Circuit announced on Monday it was withdrawing the race as the country needed to focus on calming the unrest that has made the headlines in recent days. The season will now start in Australia on March 27.
The governing body also hinted at a possible rescheduling of the Bahrain Grand Prix by saying it supported the decision to "postpone" the event.
"The Federation Internationale de l'Automobile supports the decision of the Bahrain Motor Federation and the Bahrain International Circuit to postpone the scheduled first grand prix of the 2011 season due to be held in the Kingdom of Bahrain on March 11-13," said the FIA in a statement. "This decision is the outcome of the close cooperation between the FIA, Formula One Management, the Bahrain Motor Federation and the Bahrain International Circuit."