F1 'watching' Bahrain unrest
Formula One bosses and race organisers kept a close eye on the civil unrest in Bahrain on Tuesday with less than a month to go before the season-opening grand prix there.
Thousands of Shi'ite protesters earlier marched into the capital Manama after a man was killed in clashes between police and mourners at a funeral for a demonstrator shot dead at an anti-government rally.
Protesters said their main demand was the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa who has governed the country since its independence in 1971.
"The safety of all Bahraini nationals, expats and overseas visitors is a priority at all times," Bahrain International Circuit assured fans and teams in a statement.
"We are monitoring the situation very closely indeed in association with the relevant authorities and will respond appropriately to any further developments."
Formula One's commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone said he was doing likewise.
"We'll rely on what they (local authorities) think the right thing to do is," he said when asked whether the race would be affected.
"The danger is obvious, isn't it?" added the 80-year-old Briton. "If these people wanted to make a fuss and get worldwide recognition it would be easy, wouldn't it? "You start making a problem on the start grid in Bahrain and it would get worldwide coverage.
"I have never had any problems in Bahrain in the past and I'm happy to walk around town there," added Ecclestone. "But we don't know now. The world is changing."
The first grand prix of a season now extending to a record 20 races is scheduled for Bahrain's Sakhir circuit on March 13.
The 12 teams are also testing there the previous week.
Christian Horner, team boss of champions Red Bull, told Reuters he trusted Ecclestone to make the right decision.
"We rely on Bernie and FOM (Formula One Management) and the promoter to ensure that the facilities are obviously safe and hopefully this isn't going to detract or affect the opening grand prix," he said.
"It would be a great shame if it did. but hopefully it can be resolved or not threaten the race by the time we arrive there in early March."
Horner also has a team competing at the circuit this weekend in the junior GP2 Asia series and was not aware of any problems.
"I spoke to the GP2 team yesterday and they didn't mention any concerns and hopefully again that race will go ahead as planned," he said.
Many of the Formula One drivers are expected to stay in the region after the final pre-season test starting on March 3 and Horner recognised that there were always concerns about being targeted.
"However security, particularly in Bahrain, has always been particularly high whether it's at the hotels or the circuit itself," he said at a Motor Sport magazine Hall of Fame event.
"The circuit's always done an excellent job making sure that we feel safe and Bahrain has always been an enjoyable place to visit".
Comment 19 - 38 of 38
Dave says, 'hope they dont let a few savages stop this race'. If a 'few savages' are committed to 'making a point',
THEY WILL MAKE IT! You have MAJOR money involved in the sponship of this event, If something does 'go wrong', do you think the sponsors are going to be very happy? This could be a public relations nightmare for the companies involved! It wouldn't surprise me in these companies are 'expressing their concerns' about the viability of being involved with this race!
They have 23 days 'till the first practice session! How long are F1 organizers willing to wait until thay make a 'GO or 'NO-GO' decision! You may say the whole thing is a 'tempest in a teapot', but it COULD be a disaster waiting to happine! But the question still stands, 'how long do they wait', until they make a decision! With a T/V audience in the 'millions'!, what better 'venue' could you get to stage a protest!!!!
Bernie? Was the Oil money offered from the Bahrainian Race Officials and Backers too much for you to step back and take a real hard look at the Political-Religious-Economic situation of a Country like Bahrain before you took the money? Get back to putting on Races in Holland, Austria, South Africa and Sweden!!!
nickl4d pi$$ off you racist fk wit. we all know what you're about
The Bahrain GP was so boring last year, who would miss it if it were cancelled?
I EVEN HEARD ONE OF THEM HAD A CRASH THE OTHER DAY AND BROKE A FEW BONES IN HIS ARM, AM I SUPPOSE TO GIVE A @#$%?!
do they worship shi't? shi'ites
who cares, cancel the race and wall off the poxy little country
Baharain is tiny in global terms & their oil is very quickly running out, thats it, they have nothing else, we are talking just a few years here as well & the taps will run dry in Baharain, the riots have started of course ala Egypt, only difference is Baharain will more than likely go down the Islamist route & become a mini Iran, tough Bernie eh ?
Principles in F1 went out the window in the 80s when it became a business not a sport.
true Adrian, but it would be nice to think (dream) that F1 had some principles
Ellie, the last thing bernie would do is "support the ordinary people of Bahrain".
He's busom buddies with Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa, the countrys' ruler (at the moment).
F1 shouldn't even be there. Another bore fest with 'great facilities'.
Absolutely agree with Darren & Daytonabob on this one these races in this part of the world are meaningless parades,F1 has np place in the middle east ,the people who live there have far more important needs and things to concentrate on like getting rid of thier despotic goverments ,we have the same thing now going to happen in Qatar who bought the football World Cup,sooner or later the people of these nations will tell tier so called goverments to go and take there rich mans toys with them,and somebody should tell Mr Ecllestone that before he goes hunting for ever more bizarre places to run a GP he should pick up a newspaper or switch on CNN and realise what is actually happening in the world.
Surprised by this, you shouldn't be. 3rd world garbage. Cancel the friggin race, and stay out of these places all together.
just as safe as Brazil, I'm sure!
Bahrain is a boring race anyway. Maybe give England or Italy two races in place of it?
WATCHING? Well at least it sounds like they have a plan for these situations, all sounds well then.
And nickl4d sounds a lot like knucklehead. doh!
nickl4d AND mikeg , LEAVE SHI'ITE OUT OF IT, ITS MY RELIGION, EITHER SHOW SOME RESPECT, OR F.U.C.K OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@:@: @::@:@:@:@
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