F1 teams want Bahrain opener cancelled

It is believed most Formula One teams would like next month's season opener in troubled Bahrain to be cancelled.

Western countries are advising against travel to the island Kingdom, where mainly peaceful protesters have been clashing violently with the government in past days.

"The F1 community has agreed privately that it would be both irresponsible and indefensible to arrive in Bahrain at a time when the country is counting its dead after a week of bloodshed," read a report in the Daily Mail, one day after a FOTA meeting in Barcelona.

However, the official line is that the teams are waiting on Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA - which has been strangely silent amid the saga - to make the call.

But the Sunday Times reports that "at least one leading team" will boycott the race if authorities decide to go ahead, and it emerges that new world champion Sebastian Vettel's father Norbert has cancelled his flight.

Ecclestone told BBC radio that a final decision about the race will probably be made on Tuesday, curiously explaining that it will be Bahrain's Crown Prince who will decide.

"If anybody's going to sort it out he's the guy to do it," said the 80-year-old.

"He would decide whether or not it's safe for us to be there. Let's hope it will be all right as it's already scheduled."

Countries' advice not to travel to Bahrain, however, could void insurance policies, and teams face ramifications if they decide unilaterally not to race unless 'force majeure' is declared.