McLaren put to back of Sakhir pitlane
Bahrain Grand Prix organisers have apologised to McLaren fans after having to demote the Formula One leaders to the slow end of the pitlane for next Sunday's race
The garage allocation is based on last year's positions in the constructors' standings and McLaren were stripped of all their points in 2007 due to a spying controversy over possession of Ferrari data.
However the Mercedes-powered team, with Britain's Lewis Hamilton leading the drivers' standings, were given the fifth set of garages at the first two races of the season behind champions Ferrari, BMW Sauber, Renault and Williams.
Bahrain organisers had expected McLaren to take a similar position at Sakhir but said on Sunday they had been forced to make a late change after being told by Formula One Management that would not be the case.
McLaren will now get the last set of garages, next to tail-enders Force India.
"In Bahrain we do our utmost to ensure that fans of each team get to sit opposite their favourite team's pit garages to see the action unfold," said the circuit's chief operating officer Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa in a statement.
"Sadly on this occasion, we must apologise to McLaren fans and accept that this is force majeure."
Bahrain's state-owned Mumtalakat holding company has a 30 percent stake in McLaren.
Share Or Save This Story
Will Mercedes or McLaren land the next punch at F1's Canadian GP?
Brown writes to FIA over Mercedes-Alpine ownership concerns
Why some F1 team bosses think drivers shouldn't have a say in the rules
The F1 power unit formula solution that could suit all parties
How Aprilia's Barcelona collapse showed the pressures of leading MotoGP's title race
Title-winning BTCC Peugeot and Harvey in an MG among Touring Car Rewind: North highlights
MotoGP Barcelona test: Acosta fastest as rain curtails running early
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments