Two leading Formula One team chiefs have admitted that the Bahrain Grand Prix fiasco's damaged the image of their sport.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner and Renault's Eric Boullier both agree it was a mistake to reinstate the race - as announced last weekend by the FIA, the sport's governing body - and then call it off for a second time in controversial circumstances.
Horner, whose team clinched their double as champions of both the constructors' and the drivers' championships in Abu Dhabi last year, was clearly embarrassed by the whole episode, saying the way it was handled by the International Motoring Federation was "unfortunate" and could maybe have been handled better.
Boullier said the sport needed to understand that it could not override the bigger picture of international affairs.
The race was originally due to open the Formula One season in March but was postponed amid violent civil unrest in which more than 30 people died.
After martial law was lifted, the FIA announced it had reinstated the race for October 30 and switched the inaugural Indian Grand Prix to December 11.
But opposition from the teams, whose written agreement was needed for any calendar changes, put paid to the plan.
