F1: Bahrain Given Until May For GP Rescheduling, US GP Boss Eyes Fake Rain For Texas

Bahrain has been given until 1 May to decide if its Grand Prix can be rescheduled in 2011.

The season opener, which would have taken place at the Sakhir circuit this weekend, had to be called off due to civil unrest in the island Kingdom.

After ruling out a new summer date due to the desert weather, Bernie Ecclestone has suggested a November rescheduling so long as there is "peace" in Bahrain.

The FIA's World Motor Sport Council met in Paris on Tuesday and "asked the Bahrain Motor Federation to communicate by May 1 at the latest if the Bahrain Grand Prix can be organised in 2011", a statement confirmed.

A new regulation was also agreed that will allow Pirelli to do some tyre testing during Friday practice this year.

The rule will involve drivers using an extra tyre specification "at certain events".

"Two sets of these tyres will be allocated to each driver for use during P1 and P2, and any such tyres must be returned to the tyre supplier before the start of P3," said the FIA.

Additionally, presumably due to the extreme degradation seen so far in testing, an extra set of hard tyres per driver "may be made available" for Friday practice this year.

"Teams will be informed about such an additional set at least one week before the start of the relevant event," read the statement.

(GMM)

US GP Boss Eyes Fake Rain For Texas

2012 US Grand Prix organiser Tavo Hellmund has admitted he thinks Bernie Ecclestone's idea to spice up Formula One with artificial rain is "brilliant".

F1 Chief Executive Ecclestone said it would be "easy" to ready the irrigation systems at "a number of tracks", and one of them could be the venue currently under construction in Texas.

The Austin American Statesman reports that Hellmund thinks the idea is "brilliant", adding that wet weather racing is "spectacular" and "compelling" that allows "true talent" to shine.

He also said the system was viable for Texas because construction of the track "is in the beginning stages".

And Hellmund might be able to afford such a system, after it emerged that organisers have received $12.5 million from ten private investors.

But the Securities and Exchange Commission filing "did not give specifics about how the money would be used and gave no information about the investors", said the newspaper.

The publication also said a mid-year debut date for the US Grand Prix next season, paired with the other North American race in Canada, is likely.

(GMM)

Ferrari Debuts Red Bull-Like Exhausts: Report

Ferrari got substantial upgrades for its 2011 car up and running at the Vairano circuit in northern Italy.

Autosprint said the "secret test" was to trial the "evolution" of the newly renamed 150 Italia car with Davide Rigon at the wheel.

Ferrari had confirmed on Sunday that Italian Rigon conducted an aerodynamic test on the Vairano straight, and that Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa would then get an early start to the Barcelona test on Monday for "filming".

Autosprint published exclusive photos of the 150 Italia's changes at Vairano, including to the rear wing and bodywork.

And the report said Ferrari's new exhaust solution is similar to the one seen on the Red Bull.

Williams technical director Sam Michael is quoted by spox.com: "Red Bull are a half-second ahead of Ferrari."

Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told ANSA news agency: "Pay no attention to the testing times.

"Only two things are certain; we are very happy with our reliability as we are the team with the most mileage.

"And from the very night of the infamous missed kick without a goalkeeper in Abu Dhabi, I have seen a great desire for redemption.  So I'm very confident," added the Italian.

(GMM)