Race officials released a statement on Saturday which kept their options open, although it did not commit to a date.

Organisers had been given until 1 May to decide if a race can be staged and F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has hinted the deadline could be extended.

But a spokesman for governing body the FIA stated: "As far as we're concerned a decision is still due on Sunday."

The Bahrain Grand Prix had been scheduled to open the 2011 season on 13 March but was called off in February because of anti-government protests.

Bahrain's Crown Prince made the decision to cancel the race, with Ecclestone commenting at the time that it was the right choice.