Bahrain Grand Prix organisers confident 2012 race will happen

Bahrain Grand Prix organisers are confident that next year's race will take place as planned on April 22, as they await the outcome of an independent report into the political troubles that forced it off the calendar this season

A report by an independent commission into the violent crackdown of protesters earlier this year is due to be published on November 23 - and race chiefs say they are confident the Gulf State will take on board any recommendations that are put forward.

Bahrain's Crown Prince, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, told reporters at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that the situation in the country was much improved - and that he had no doubts the 2012 Bahrain GP would be able to go ahead.

"It is looking good," he said. "As a force for moderation, sport is a great unifier. There are certainly things that happened in the country that nobody is proud of, but we have an important report coming out on November 23 and that will really give us a narrative of the truth that we can accept and move on.

"Just like any other country that has faced troubles in the past, we will move beyond it. We will learn from it, we will grow and we are committed to reform. This sport has a great following.

"After the report, there will be implementation of its recommendations and we will move on. That is the way of the world. But it is safe and we look forward to welcoming you there and we will rise to the challenge."

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has also backed the return of the Bahrain GP, and reckoned that the sport should recognise the positive influence that the Gulf State had had in bringing the sport to the Middle East.

"It is because of them we are here and growing in this part of the world," he said. "If we hadn't done this early on, we wouldn't be here. Everybody is content. No dramas at all."

When asked if he was confident about the race taking place, Ecclestone said: "Yes. We wouldn't have put it on the calendar otherwise. We didn't have to put it on the calendar; it was only because we knew we are going to be there that it is in the calendar."