Bahrain On Track To Host Season-Opening 2014 Formula One World Championship

The Bahrain Grand Prix "looks set to replace Australia as the season-opening race of the 2014 Formula One World Championship with Abu Dhabi hosting a warm-weather pre-season test two weeks beforehand at Yas Marina Circuit," according to Gary Meenaghan of THE NATIONAL. A return to the top of the calendar would not only bring added interest to the race at Sakhir, "but could also be seen as a symbolic end to the controversy that has embroiled the race for the past two seasons." Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said that the final decision sits with F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone "but that he expects clarification within two months." Abu Dhabi has successfully hosted Young Driver Tests close to the end of year for the past three seasons, "but a pre-season test would be a UAE first" (THE NATIONAL, 5/27).