There has been uncertainty surrounding the 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix, currently being held on the 22nd April but F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone is adamant it will go ahead.
The Gulf state has seen a return to the violence that caused the 2011 Grand Prix's cancellation, meaning some teams and drivers are unsure whether it is safe to go. The possibility of a bad turn out for the sessions and race could also be a major problem, but Bahrain brings alot of money into F1 and Bernie is sure the race will go ahead.
There has not been a Bahrain GP since 2010 and the 2011 race was delayed before being postponed to see if the unrest would decrease. It did not so the 2011 race was cancelled, but will the 2012 race see a similar fate? Bernie doesn't seem to think so.
He told the Guardian "I don't think it's anything serious at all. It doesn't change our position in any shape or form, I expected there was going to be a big uprising, with the anniversary."
He added: "If the people in Bahrain (government) 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."
There was meant to be changes and attempts to stop the unrest, but it has not improved.
Maryam al-Khawaja, head of the foreign relations office, said: "The government promised changes last year, but no changes have taken place because there is no incentive to make them. And tortures are still taking place. I have heard reports of protesters being thrown from rooftops and others having legs broken. That it is why Formula One should make a stand and call this race off. A group of MPs are also backing the Grand Prix to go ahead for fear that cancelling it again it would act against any "possible reform of the country".
The Gulf state has seen a return to the violence that caused the 2011 Grand Prix's cancellation, meaning some teams and drivers are unsure whether it is safe to go. The possibility of a bad turn out for the sessions and race could also be a major problem, but Bahrain brings alot of money into F1 and Bernie is sure the race will go ahead.
There has not been a Bahrain GP since 2010 and the 2011 race was delayed before being postponed to see if the unrest would decrease. It did not so the 2011 race was cancelled, but will the 2012 race see a similar fate? Bernie doesn't seem to think so.
He told the Guardian "I don't think it's anything serious at all. It doesn't change our position in any shape or form, I expected there was going to be a big uprising, with the anniversary."
He added: "If the people in Bahrain (government) 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."
Maryam al-Khawaja, head of the foreign relations office, said: "The government promised changes last year, but no changes have taken place because there is no incentive to make them. And tortures are still taking place. I have heard reports of protesters being thrown from rooftops and others having legs broken. That it is why Formula One should make a stand and call this race off. A group of MPs are also backing the Grand Prix to go ahead for fear that cancelling it again it would act against any "possible reform of the country".
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