Protest threat in Bahrain

Protest threat in Bahrain
First F1 race of the season could become target for anti-government protestors

A human rights group in Bahrain has warned that next month's grand prix in the country could become a target for anti-government protestors.

Bahrain has become the latest Arab nation to experience substantial public unrest in the wake of protests during recent weeks which have forced the resignation of the presidents of both Tunisia and Egypt.

Although the protests were initially peaceful, two people have so far been killed, thus inflaming an already volatile situation.

With the season-opening race, due to be held at Sakhir on March 13, sure to place an international spotlight on the country, Nabeel Rajab, vice president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, says that protestors might seek to exploit the situation.

"For sure F1 is not going to be peaceful this time," he told Arabian Business. "There'll be lots of journalists, a lot of people looking and (the government) will react in a stupid manner as they have done, and that will be bloody, but will be more publicised.

"This will not stop, especially now when people have died. I don't think it's going to stop easily."

Danger
F1's commercial rights controller, Bernie Ecclestone, admitted he is "watching events closely" and said he planned on discussing the situation with the Crown Prince, Salman ibn Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa.

"He is a bit busy, as you can imagine, so I don't know yet exactly what is going on," Ecclestone told The Daily Telegraph.

"The danger is obvious isn't it? If these people wanted to make a fuss and get worldwide recognition it would be bloody easy, wouldn't it?

"You start making a problem on the start grid in Bahrain and it would get worldwide coverage."

Discussing the prospect of the race being cancelled, the 80-year-old added: "I have no idea. It's hard to establish exactly what is going in.

"As I say, I'm speaking with the Crown Prince later on. We're watching events closely. We'll rely on what they think the right thing to do is."

[Source: Sky Sports News - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12433_6754210,00.html]

This doesn't sound too good now does it?

I may have been dreaming, but didnt a similar threat happen last year?
I might be wrong, its just that the story sounds very familiar?

I dont recall there being anything like this, but you might be right. I might google it and see what i can find

"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."

And there are also now fears that the progresses have plans to cause trouble on the starting grid as well :shooter:

Organisers of the Bahrain Grand Prix have vowed to deliver a safe race next month despite anti-government protests that have taken hold in the country during recent days.

Opposition to the 30-year rule of prime minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa has led to the unrest, which has resulted in the deaths of two protestors and now threatens the first race of the Formula One season, which is due to take place at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 13.

Circuit CEO Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa has promised everything will be done to ensure the event goes ahead as smoothly as possible.

"The safety of all Bahraini nationals, expats and overseas visitors is a priority at all times in the kingdom and, at the Bahrain International Circuit, our focus at the present time is on delivering another successful event in the form of the Bahrain Grand Prix," said Al Khalifa.

"We are monitoring the situation very closely indeed in association with the relevant authorities, and will respond appropriately to any further developments."

Source: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12433_6755484,00.html

should just be glad its not in liverpool would go to start the race and find the cars without any wheels. anyway joking aside it would be a shame if it did happen f1 is not involved in their political rudey poo so if they want to protest go do what egypt did.

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has warned the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix in March will be cancelled if unrest in the country continues.

F1 teams are concerned about the event after three people were killed overnight in clashes with police.

Ecclestone said he will make a decision on whether to cancel early next week.

He said: "If things stay as they are today, the answer is no. If it's not quietened down by Wednesday, I think we will have to cancel probably."

More on the story at BBC Sport Click Here

Not a good start to the formular 1 calendar, but the safety of all comes first

BBC Report on the events in Bahrain:

The cancellation of the GP2 series event in Bahrain against the background of continuing unrest in the Gulf state's capital Manama has raised serious concern about the viability of the F1 season opener on 13 March.

Bernie Ecclestone has promised a decision on whether the race can go ahead next week. At present, the Bahraini authorities are trying to sound optimistic. Cancelling the event would be a huge blow to them.

Constructed in time for the 2004 season, at an initial cost cost of around £100m, the area surrounding the circuit has since been identified for a huge investment project worth more than £1bn.

It'll house business, entertainment and educational space, according to the planners. Perhaps they cast an envious eye in the direction of their Gulf neighbours in Abu Dhabi, where the extraordinary Yas Island project is the home of the state's own Grand Prix. The track costs alone reportedly stand at £800m. The Island? More than £25bn.

These Grands Prix matter to the Gulf states as they attempt to establish their importance in the world, their voice on the international stage. They make headlines and showcase the nation. They're part of foreign policy. Look what the 2008 Olympics meant to China.

Bernie Ecclestone understands the desire for nations to use sport to promote their international credentials, and he's been quick to exploit the opportunity. The truth is, those countries need F1 more than F1 needs them.

F1's global landscape is rapidly changing. The appetite for breaking new ground continues undiminished among the major sports organisations: look at FIFA. The success of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa must have been a factor in emboldening the executive to go for Qatar in 2022, along of course with the commercial opportunities. The Gulf states are the big spenders in the sports field at the moment and their ambitions are high.

F1 has already established itself in Asia, with China and Korea joining Singapore, Malaysia and Japan. This season for the first time it goes to India. F1 isn't short of nations wanting a slice of the reflective glory. In 2012 the circus returns to the United States in Austin, Texas. 2014 should be Russia's debut.

The calendar is already packed. This season for the first time there will be 20 races. Expansion has its limits in terms of what the teams can cope with or are prepared to put up with. If the Bahrain race goes, it's very unlikely it can be rescheduled.

The churn has seen some of the old established races like the Austrian Grand Prix fall away. The British Grand Prix hung by a thread, before a long-term deal was done. Sentimentality isn't Bernie Ecclestone's strong suit; deal-making is, and the effect of the government-led bids to stage races in new territories has been to force the old guard into improving their act, upgrading their facilities, doing things better.

While embracing the new, F1's established acts have become stronger too. The Gulf Grands Prix have helped the commercial rights holders for the sport turn over more than $1bn (£616m) according to the 2010 accounts, and double the profits to $193m.

F1 is a successful brand which would survive the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix, should it come to that. The worst of the damage would be felt in the local economy, and reputationally by Bahrain.

The Sunday Times has reported the following this morning. I cant get the full story or link because you need to pay for the site, but the BBC has quoted the following from the paper:

The Bahrain Grand Prix is unlikely to go ahead as planned on March 13 and if it does at least one leading team will not be there. Most teams would refuse to go, on the basis that the safety of their staff could not be guaranteed. On top of that, they do not want the race to be hijacked by any group looking to make a political point.

More on the story has just started emerging;

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has said he will leave the decision on whether to hold the Bahrain Grand Prix to the country's Crown Prince.

The season-opening race is in doubt following unrest that has seen six people killed after police fired live rounds at protestors demanding reform.

Ecclestone told BBC Sport that Crown Prince Salman ibn Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa was best placed to decide.

"He will know whether it's safe for us to be there," Ecclestone said.

"I've no idea. I'm not there, so I don't know."

He added: "We won't advise people to go unless it's safe."

But BBC Sport understands the warning is not enough to trigger clauses that would invalidate insurance for most F1 teams. For that, the travel advice would have to be not to travel there at all.

Ecclestone ruled out holding the race on that date in another location, saying there would not be time for alternative organisers to make the necessary arrangements.

He said Bahrain could be moved to another date later in the year if the race in March was called off.

Ecclestone said a decision on whether the race could go ahead would be made on Tuesday.

"Let's hope it'll be all right," he said.

Source: BBC Sport Click Here

Mark Webber has spoken today about the unrest and his doubts on the race taking place.

Webber said: "When you hear of people losing their lives, this is a tragedy.

"It's probably not the best time to go there for a sporting event. They have bigger things, bigger priorities."
The Australian, 35, added: "In the end the right decisions will be made. Maybe it is still the first race, maybe Melbourne is the first race, we don't know.

"It's not a big deal to be honest because there are more things than Formula 1 in Bahrain.

"They have bigger things, bigger priorities and that is what they want to work on over there, generations of issues.

"That's the most important thing for them to sort out and not to worry about Formula 1."

Ecclestone has confirmed a decision will be made on Tuesday about the race.
Teams have already discussed contingency plans amid widespread expectation that the Bahrain test will be cancelled and moved to either Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya, Jerez in south-west Spain or the Portimao track on the Portuguese Algarve.

More on the interview at BBC Sport Click Here

i dont mind wat happens as long as hamilton is ready to race his season needs a gd start

The Bahrain Grand Prix has been called off because of anti-government protests in the Gulf kingdom.

The race, due to be staged on 13 March, was set to be the curtain-raiser for the new season.

But civil unrest has forced organisers to postpone the race, meaning the season starts in Australia on 27 March.

"We must focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting to a later date," said Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

More to follow.

Full Story : BBC Sport - Click Here

Official Breaking News from the BBC website states the Bahrain Grandprix has now been cancelled

The season will now start in Melbourne, Australia on 27 March 2011

so the season will now run one race short, as Ecclestone has said the Bahrain Grandprix date cannot be shifted to later in the season and there is no time to organise a race elsewhere at such short notice.

So looks like pre season testing is gonna be going on for a little while longer

What are your view on this?

Right decison or wrong decision

Right decision in my opinion! massive fan of F1 and i would hate to see such a good sport have any hick ups because of a countries diplomatic state.

Its a shame its come to this, but it had to be done. The safety of the spectators and the teams is paramount.