Bahraini chiefs ready to host postponed GP

Bahrain Grand Prix chiefs on Saturday said they are hopeful and ready for their Formula One race to be reinstated on the Grand Prix calendar this year.

The race in Bahrain was due to open the 2011 season, but was postponed due to the political turmoil and civil unrest in the Gulf state.

But now, officials said, they are ready for the race to go ahead, according to the specialist Autosport magazine (www.autosport.com ).

"If it was up to us, we are ready," said Zayed Rashed Al Zayani, chairman of the Bahrain International Circuit.

"We are happy to have it. We are ready to host it. But unfortunately it is not our decision alone. There are many factors involved. We are hoping for the best and would like to have the race back."

"It was our decision at the beginning of the year to postpone the race because there were more priorities happening in Bahrain. Things are calm now, life is back to normal."

"We are in a position to have international events once again."

"We have to find a solution with them (the FIA). We have to reach a solution, whether we have a race or not. And if we have the race, then they will need to work more than us on the date. We are there any day of the year."