No reason to axe Bahrain - FIA

In the Shanghai paddock on Thursday, the message was clear: next week’s Bahrain grand prix is still on.

Bernie Ecclestone said in China that the only ones who could cancel the Sakhir race are the Bahrain sanctioning bodies, who are reportedly determined to return to the sport after a two-year absence.

"Absolutely nothing has changed," an FIA spokesman, addressing the latest speculation about the Bahrain situation, told the German news agency SID on Thursday.

"At the moment, there is no reason for us to depart from our decision taken before the season to include Bahrain on the calendar," he added.

It is believed F1 chief executive Ecclestone will meet with teams on Friday, but FIA president Jean Todt has not yet arrived in China from Taiwan.