05/04/2005
NEWS STORY
In the wake of reports in the Italian and German press, claiming that Bernie Ecclestone's Formula One Management (FOM) had refused permission for a change to the broadcasting of the Bahrain GP following the death of the Pope, FOM has issued the following statement:
"Contrary to reports in the German and Italian press, FOM would like to state that at no point did it refuse Italian broadcaster RAI's request to alter broadcast arrangements for the Bahrain Grand Prix in light of the death of Pope John Paul II.
"A verbal request was received by Mr Ecclestone on Saturday evening to switch the race broadcast from Channel 1 to Channel 2. This was agreed and the following written confirmation, signed by Mr Ecclestone, was sent to RAI on Sunday morning.
"Notwithstanding the provisions on our contract, should you wish to broadcast the Bahraini round of the 2005 Formula One World Championship on your Channel 2 we would have no objections. We understand your position under these most unfortunate circumstances."