Bernie Ecclestone acknowledges concerns about Bahrain Grand Prix

Bernie Ecclestone has acknowledged the reticence of Formula One teams to take part in a rescheduled Bahrain Grand Prix by stating: "Of course they'd rather not be racing in December, but these are unusual circumstances." Although his comments reference the timing rather than any moral or logistical objections many teams are understood to have. Ecclestone feels the decision made by the FIA has been addressed fairly. "The FIA sent people out there to check on the situation, they came back and reported everything is fine. It's obvious that everybody feels they need to be safe," he said. However, he did go on to accept that it would still be dependent on the situation in the country itself: "In the end we'll have to wait and see what happens in Bahrain. If there is peace and no problems then I suppose the teams will be all right." The FIA, meanwhile, released some of the report made by one of the people sent to check Bahrain – Spanish Motorsport Federation president, Carlos Gracia. It references positive assessments from international businesses and banks, notes the largest, mainly Shia, opposition group Al Wefaq supported the event and that travel warnings have been lifted. As the teams debate the effects of finishing the season in December, the FIA also announced a 21-race calendar for 2012, with the anticipated mid-season meeting in Texas being added to the current roster. Bahrain will hold the opener in March, with the final race in Brazil on 25 November. It will feature seven back-to-back race weekends. Away from Formula One, the FIA has also announced the creation of a brand new World Championship. The World Endurance Championship will begin in 2012, using as its basis the current Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, of which the Le Mans 24 Hours is the centrepiece. This long-distance sports car racing, for between six and 24 hours, has become increasingly popular in recent years and it is the first time the category has offered FIA driver and constructor world championship titles since the demise of the World Sportscar Championship in 1992. The 2012 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar: 11 March Bahrain 18 March Australia 1 April Malaysia 8 April China 22 April Korea 6 May Turkey * 20 May Spain 27 May Monaco 10 June Canada 17 June United States 1 July Valencia 15 July Great Britain 29 July Germany 5 August Hungary 2 September Belgium 9 September Italy 30 September Singapore 14 October Japan 28 October India 11 November Abu Dhabi 25 November Brazil * Subject to confirmation