Parr says too late to change calendar

Williams chairman Adam Parr says it is too late to change the Formula 1 calendar to find a place for the Bahrain Grand Prix, casting even more doubt about the possible return of the race

The FIA decided to reinstate the Sakhir race, scheduled to be the first race of the season, and give it an October 30 date, which was originally reserved for the inaugural Indian GP.

The Indian race is expected to take place on the December 11 weekend if Bahrain goes ahead.

Parr said, however, that it is impossible to change the calendar now and added that there is "nothing more to talk about".

For the calendar to change, all teams must agree unanimously on the move.

"It's not about whether the race goes ahead, it's about whether we change the calendar at this stage of the season and that's what we've written about it," Parr told Reuters.

"The issue that we're concerned about is that fans, sponsors, teams, have made logistic arrangements to be in India for a particular weekend, the 30th of October, and we've been presented with a calendar where it's on December 11.

"How do you say to people who have booked a two-week holiday in India to take in the Grand Prix, 'sorry you'll be in India but we won't.'

"We've explained our position...and there's nothing more to talk about. It's just too late to change it."

Williams driver Rubens Barrichello admitted he was shocked that the FIA had reinstated the race.

"During the season, there was talk we could have it after one or two races but as the problem progressed I really thought there was no way for us to get back to Bahrain," Barrichello told Reuters.

"So it was a shock when I saw that we kind of accepted as Formula 1 to go back there."