Ecclestone: Bahrain GP will happen
Bernie Ecclestone says Formula 1 teams have absolutely no concerns about the situation in Bahrain, and insists the race will go ahead as planned.
"We are planning to go. I've always said that if there was going to be any drama it would be on the Day of Rage," Ecclestone said.
"They would have to do something then. People there seem confident that a race two months away will be alright.
"The teams are not the slightest bit concerned. They seem happy that things will go ahead without problems. Last year was a more clear-cut decision not to go but things have changed a lot since then."
Last year's race was first postponed and then cancelled.
On Tuesday, armoured vehicles patrolled Bahrain's capital Manama on the one-year anniversary of the uprising, with police firing tear gas at protesters.
"The only message I got was that there were some kids in trouble with the police," Ecclestone added.
Last week, a group of British politicians urged the FIA to cancel the event, scheduled for April, because of the unrest in the country.
"We've always been non-political," Ecclestone said. "Any decision will be made on grounds of safety."
"The FIA, like many in the diplomatic community in the kingdom, the main political opposition...believes the staging of a Grand Prix would be beneficial in bridging some of the difficulties Bahrain is experiencing," said an FIA spokesman on Wednesday.
"The FIA is not in a position to influence political matters in a sovereign country such as Bahrain and we can only wish for a long-term peaceful solution."
Bahrain has considerable clout in F1 circles, with the country's sovereign wealth fund major shareholders in the McLaren team while Sheikh Abdulla bin Isa al-Khalifa heads the FIA's karting commission and sits on the world body's 26-man motor sport council.
Ecclestone, whose Formula One Management is estimated to receive $40 million a year from Bahrain as the fee to host the race, and FIA president Jean Todt are also on that decision-making council.
The grand prix is the biggest sporting event hosted by Bahrain and one that gives the country global television exposure.
Bahrain became the first country in the Middle East to have a Formula One race when it made its debut in 2004 but last year's grand prix was postponed and then cancelled due to the unrest.
Both Ecclestone and the FIA fought a long and ultimately failed battle to keep it on the 2011 calendar and swiftly reinstated it for this year despite calls from rights campaigners for it to be dropped.
Two groups of British parliamentarians have written letters to the Times newspaper in the past week arguing for and against the race, while Britain's 1996 F1 champion Damon Hill has spoken out in favour of a return to Bahrain.
Armoured vehicles patrolled the capital Manama on Tuesday in a security clampdown after youths threw petrol bombs at police, who fired tear gas at protesters.
It was the first time since martial law was lifted in June, after protests that killed at least 35 people, that armoured personnel carriers had re-appeared on the streets.
"I don't think it's anything serious at all. It doesn't change our position in any shape or form," Ecclestone told the Guardian newspaper of the continuing unrest that he described as "a lot of kids having a go at the police".
"If the people (rulers) in Bahrain say 'Look Bernie, it wouldn't be good for you to come over here', then I would think again. That is what they said last year.
"I am in regular touch with the Bahrain government and they would tell me if we shouldn't be there."
Formula One teams have said they are concerned with the situation but trust Ecclestone and the FIA to make the right decisions.
"If they think it is the right thing to go then we will definitely go there," Sauber's Indian-born CEO Monisha Kaltenborn said earlier this month.
This year's race is on April 22 and follows immediately on from China, creating a logistical dilemma for the Formula One circus with teams and media having to book flights back from Shanghai via Manama without knowing for sure whether the grand prix will happen.
Comment 51 - 70 of 70
If it happens - I wonder if the poison dwarf will go to the race? I wonder if he'll do his attention grabbing grid walked, flanked by his entourage of sycophantic b*tt kissers? I wonder if he will be driven to and from the track in an armoured vehicle - I'd guess the risk of a helicopter ride would be too great? What a money grabbing little piece of (camel) dung.
BERNIE MUST GO!!
Oh well well well..MONEY TALKS with DIRTY OLD MEN...
Warm Welcome to BAHRAIN Bernie and you gang .. we will cheer you up with Child way activity.. Donot worry be happy
You must get to the race with with special heliocapters for you Bernie & the teams...hahhahahaha
Listen Bahraini people are the most friendly and pleasant people and can help you and they are good people for anyone visit the country.
BUT WATCH OUT BERNIE FROM THE CHILDERN.. and how you wil face with the ADULTS (FACE TO FACE)/
You will not watch cartoons
Ecclestone is obviously unaware of the truth of the situation. He patronisingly speaks of the protestors as 'Kids'. URLs are not allowed in this comment box, which is a shame as I have a photo of 9 dead Bahrain children, killed by birdshot, teargas and torture which the BICI report condemned but which is still being used daily in Bahrain. Corpses of children are very sad to see.
Bahrain protestors want fair electoral districts guaranteeing political equality amongst ppl & meeting universal principle of one person one vote. These protestors are human beings, men, woman and 'children' of teenage years. The have varied beliefs; some are Sunni Muslim, some are Christian, some are Jews, some are Shia Muslim.
Now, their beliefs are their own personal concerns and of no interest to me, but the Bahrain Gvt are intent on making this to be a sectarian issue. I have Bahrain friends of several faiths and of none, all who want self determination and democracy, something you have and don't seem to want others to enjoy.
You should stop listening to the Bahrain Gvt who lie continually, and talk to those living in the villages of Bahrain.
Williams FW14b . Just shows how little you know . The denomination used in F1 is the US dollar . Read before you write.
Betya a pound of sausages it doesn't Mr ecclestwat
Its always fun watching Robert rant and foam at the mouth, like the ego-maniacal neo-con he is, especially when he thinks F1 is made up entirely of British teams and we use dollars in Britain. Seems that college fund went to waste lol..
Can you believe the nerve of these BRITISH based teams.They will do anything for a $ . Don't they see what's going on in Bahrain . They walked out at Indy because of safety to the drivers . This involves every team member , not just one or two. Did i mention F1 is the Pinnicle of British Motorsport ? Ever wonder why F1 is sooo fffked up ? Pretty easy to blame Bernie and forget about the 600 or so involved in the show. MORONS
Would like to be at Silverstone circuit today Touron;I am down Brands Hatch way and shortly going to a Driving Academy session for my son,its his second one and I'll be in the back of the car.!
Being something of a sceptic, could there be $40 million very good reasons why Mr Ecclestone wants the Bahrain GP to go ahead?
A statement from an FIA spokesman (person) “The FIA………....believes the staging of a Grand Prix would be beneficial in bridging some of the difficulties Bahrain is experiencing," followed by "The FIA is not in a position to influence political matters in a sovereign country such as Bahrain and we can only wish for a long-term peaceful solution." Seems to imply that nothing will change so we might as well take the money.
He probaly thinks that driving 200MPH and dodging bullets will make for exciting motor sport. The season not even started and he's at it already when are we going to see the back of this idiot ??
Hi. Wizzo !! big do here at Silverstone today, with Mercedes.Schumi was here last night, and going to put the Merc through its paces later on, If you are anywhere near !! look out for me and the truck, free drinks for you no probs!!
touronroute. Live from the Paddock C.
I hear that next year there will be a Syrian Grand Prix.
...for decades now F1 has had a race in Hungary, has everyone forgotten what took place the other 51 weeks of the year under communist rule?If there had of been an F1 race in Kosovo would there have been the slaughter that we turned a blind eye to? As a motorsport fan, I would certainly request that the Bahrain race be removed from the calendar, on the grounds of very poor motor racing, anything else would be hypocritical for myself...
Geriatrix showing that he cares about is the bottom line,
Shame on all at the FIA to allow this race to go ahead.
"We've always been non-political," Ecclestone said. "Any decision will be made on grounds of safety."...no bernie, it's always been about the money. I doubt that there are really "no concerns" from any of the teams. Whatever, looking forward to Austin in November.
I wonder if the bookies can make it worth my while to place a small wager that the 2012 Bahrain GP will not happen, seems an absolute certainty to me that it won't even though the F1 fan in me hopes it does. Still it will all be on Sky so I shall miss it anyway :-)
Bernie won't take the matter seriously until someone is shot, and even then, he probably won't give a s---. He'll just see the matter as unfortunate and make plans for the following year.
Is this the same Bernard that said F1 wont be pay to view ?? Silverstone no more ?? Donington will happen etc etc etc .. he must use a lot of toilet paper on his lips because he dont half talk a load of ........... censord
Bernie is only concerned about his own fame and fortune, however much grief this causes others.
Of course he wants the Bahrain GP to go ahead, regardless of what happens over there.
He didn't even care about Britain when he sold off GP broadcasting rights to Sky!
You can always tell the ones with fake Ids so I have been told, watch the ones with a load of thumbs up and in the morning there post have been deleted, so HOW sad is that.
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