Updated

Bahrain's crown prince says there will be "a time and a place" for him to participate in the political dialogue but not yet.

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa spoke Saturday as he toured the Bahrain International Circuit on the eve of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The crown prince says he is "hopeful" about the talks between the government and opposition forces in the divided Gulf nation but he wishes "they were moving faster."

Last month, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa appointed his heir to an additional role overseeing government affairs in an apparent gesture to opposition groups that have led more than two years of protests. The opposition welcomed the move.