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Is Ecclestone's F1 Right To Push Forward with Bahrain Grand Prix?

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Discussion started by Marc Sibbons , on Friday, 30 March 2012 13:11

F1 Chief Bernie Ecclestone has confirmed this week that the Bahrain Grand Prix next month will go ahead as planned despite criticism from some quarters claiming the event would be an ideal environment for protestors to flourish.

Last year's race was cancelled because of civil unrest in the country, but Ecclestone has no fears that the situation will be repeated this year - and insists he has no concerns over security.

'It's business as usual, I don't need any personal security but I'm sure whatever's necessary will be looked after.'

The decision to proceed with the race in the troubled country has led to criticism from various human rights organisations, who have pointed to Bahrain's human rights record, and the growing concern the event could be a target for protesters. Ecclestone, though, was unconcerned, adding: 'I don't think the people who are trying to demonstrate a little bit are going to use anything to do with F1. If they did they would be a little bit silly.'

 

Do you agree with the decision to go ahead with the Bahrain Grand Prix? What implications might it have on the sport? Is Ecclestone prioritising his profits rather than morals in this decision?

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Marc Sibbons
Marc Sibbons,
Update: Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone has held his firm belief that the Bahrain Grand Prix will continue for many years and Formula One will grow in stature in that part of the world.

The race had made damning headline news all week as protesters have clashed with police, anti-government and anti-F1 rallies have been staged, and ultimately one demonstrator was killed, so the dissidents claim, by riot police, but the race itself passed without incident.

This had cast an ugly shadow over F1 and Bahrain for not keeping their political affairs away from sport.

Ecclestone, however, has insisted Bahrain and the Middle East remain important for F1 as he said: "It's growing all the time, and other places are interested.

"I think it will grow here for sure. You know what they say, there's no such thing as bad publicity.

Is this the way forward? As the race passed "without incident", is the situation now considered to be closed? Does the Middle East remain important to F1?
394 days ago
 
Marc Sibbons
Marc Sibbons,
Update: The Bahrain Grand Prix on the 22nd April will go ahead as planned say Formula 1's governing body, the FIA. After weeks of speculation about the event in the Gulf state, in which civil unrest has continued since protests in February 2011, a moral decision was due to be made by the FIA.

The FIA has been under pressure to call off the race amid security concerns, but a statement explained the body was ‘satisfied that all the proper security measures are in place for the running of a Formula 1 world championship event.’

Protesters in Bahrain have called for the race to be cancelled.

The statement added: ‘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.’

Will the FIA regret their decision to go ahead with the Bahrain GP or do you back the way they have handled the difficult situation?
405 days ago
 
Marc Sibbons
Marc Sibbons,
Update: Formula One Chief Bernie Ecclestone has claimed the sport’s teams will have the final say over whether they compete in the Bahrain Grand Prix after local organisers hit out at “scaremongering” surrounding the race.

Following the latest outbreak of violence in Bahrain in which seven policemen were injured in a bomb attack, Ecclestone has offered his opinion on the matter. An unnamed ‘leading’ member of F1’s 12 team principals on Monday claimed the teams want the sport’s stakeholders to cancel, or at least postpone, the event amid continuing concerns over security in the country. Ecclestone said there are commercial reasons why teams should take part but admitted he could not force individuals to participate.

“We've no way we can force people to go there,” he said, according to Press Association Sport. “We can't say 'you've got to go' – although they would be in breach of their agreement with us if they didn't go – but it doesn't help. Commercially they have to go, but whether they decide to or not is up to them. I've had no one say anything other than 'we're going to be racing in Bahrain'.” The F1 supremo maintains that the race, to be staged on April 22, is still on. “Yes, if the people in Bahrain are happy that they can run the event. We're not involved in any of the politics in Bahrain, over who is right or wrong. When you go to somebody's country you have to respect exactly how they run their country and the laws of that country.”

The International Motorsport Federation (FIA) and Ecclestone have continually maintained that the sport is committed to returning to Bahrain this year, despite continued violence in the Gulf Kingdom a year on from its suppressed uprising. The 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled after months of controversy following civil unrest in February 2011 – a move that cost organisers a reported £300 million. Ecclestone, speaking to BBC Sport, added that the ongoing problems could see the event’s race contract renegotiated. He said: “Maybe we wouldn't renew it. We'll have to look and see.”
407 days ago
 
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