Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix to go ahead

THE Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled according to motorsport's world governing body.

Bahrain Gp to go ahead

THE Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled according to motorsport's world governing body.

THE FIA (Federation Internationale de l'Automobile) and Formula One commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone made separate announcements just hours apart in Shanghai, the venue of the Chinese Grand Prix.

The showpiece in Bahrain has overshadowed the lead-up to Sunday's race in Shanghai and many teams are believed to have grave concerns about the April 22 event in the Gulf state.

It was postponed last year after protests against the government erupted, was later removed from the 2011 schedule and was thought to be in jeopardy once again because of the year-long demonstrations.

With the FIA and Ecclestone under intense pressure to make a final ruling, the flamboyant 81-year-old had a brief meeting with the teams before emerging to proclaim the race had never been in any doubt and there were no concerns.

“Everybody's happy. It's a 'problem' which has been discussed by the media, who have no idea what is going on,’’ he said.

“We will be there. All the teams are happy to be there.

“I know people who live there and it's all very quiet and peaceful.”

“Formula One has put Bahrain on the map,” he added. “They will sort out their internal problems, I am quite sure. I think it is good for Bahrain. Our position is quite clear: we don't get involved in politics.”

The FIA said in a statement that it was “satisfied” that sufficient security was in place at the Sakhir circuit to deter protesters who say they will target the event.

FIA president Jean Todt led a fact-finding mission to the kingdom in November, it added, meeting the interior minister, members of the royal family, European ambassadors and members of the business community.

“All expressed their wish for the grand prix to go ahead in 2012, and since then, the FIA has kept in close touch with all these stakeholders,” FIA said.

“Away from the public eye, the FIA has received regular security briefings from the most senior diplomatic officials based in the kingdom as well as from other independent experts.”

Bahrain says it is now safe there, despite a recent upsurge in violence and mounting sectarian tensions once again, including a bomb blast on Monday that wounded seven police officers and a revenge attack on Shi'ite villagers.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon today criticised “the excessive use of force” against protesters.

The FIA and many drivers had earlier tried to get the focus back on the Chinese Grand Prix, but the fate of the Gulf race would not go away.

“So, Bahrain?” Red Bull's Australian driver Mark Webber said, unprompted, to open his media briefing.

“There's no beating around the bush - it is sensitive out there,” he said, attempting to pick his words carefully.
“We can only go on what the FIA are reading into the situation and obviously we are putting in an enormous amount of trust - I don't mean 'we' the drivers. I'm talking about you guys, photographers, caterers, everybody.”

The FIA last year postponed the Bahrain race before removing it from last season's schedule over the demonstrations.

The Gulf state says the situation is calm and the race would be a chance for Bahrain to unite, but ongoing protests and violence, including a bomb attack on Monday that wounded seven policemen, had put the event in jeopardy again.

The teams were reportedly keen not to take part, but said they could not make the decision to cancel the race and were looking for the FIA to tell them what to do.

Webber, 35, said there were moral and safety considerations - demonstrators have claimed they will target the race - to take into account.

“It has been distracting. Trying to give a fair and correct position on Bahrain with you guys is something that I try to be fair with and you want to get that right.

“It's an unusual position for a grand prix driver to be put in.”

AFP