Bahrain Grand Prix organizers have been given until May 1 to decide if they want their race to be put on again later this year.
Following the cancellation of this year's opening round of the Formula 1 season, there has been intense speculation about whether or not the event could be slotted in later this year. The most likely scenario was for the Bahrain GP to be twinned with the nearby Abu Dhabi GP toward the end of the campaign, perhaps with the Brazilian season finale being moved.
The matter was discussed at Tuesday's FIA World Motor Sport Council meeting in Paris, but no decision was made on what will happen. However, the FIA has given race officials another seven weeks to inform them on whether it will be possible for the Bahrain GP to take place.
A statement issued by the governing body said: "The World Motor Sport Council asked the Bahrain Motor Federation to communicate by May 1st at the latest if the Bahrain Grand Prix can be organized in 2011."
Bahrain would need to guarantee that there was no chance of further political trouble in the Gulf state before it could put on the race – something which may not be possible in the short time frame available.