Bahrain GP boss Zayed Alzayani says race proves the decision was right – Formula 1 news
Bahrain Grand Prix’s boss Zayed Alzayani says that FIA’s decision to stick with holding the race was the right one.
He said that the race was successful and it was proof that it was the right for the event to go ahead. The race was under tremendous clouds as the country suffered from civil riots and protests against the ruling regime of the country.
Human Rights activists did not want the race to go ahead and called upon Formula 1 teams and drivers to boycott the race. Media remained somewhat neutral in three weeks prior to the race but as demonstrations of the protesters grew violent and aggressive
there was a serious call for the event to be scratched.
Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone remained the biggest promoter of the race and held his stance against all kinds of pressures. Prior to the race weekend F1 held a Formula 1 cultural exhibition which went horribly wrong as protesters invaded the exhibition
and visitors had to run to the streets as a battle between the security police and the invaders broke and also took to the streets.
The security police in another incident, which also caused a furore but Ecclestone, shot a 15-year-old boy and FIA did not let anything budge their decision. They stated that it would be better for the country to unite the nation with the help of the event.
Track boss Zayed Alzayani said that the event was proof of the race being successful and the being the right decision. He added that the political attention might prove to be beneficial as a spur for the Gulf state’s political troubles to be resolved.
“I think we have proved to the world that whatever is happening on the political scene has nothing to do with what is happening on track,” Alzayani told AUTOSPORT. “Life goes on, and hopefully this will be a catalyst on the government and the opposition
to sort out whatever political differences they have and move forward.”
“Holding a race is not something new to us. We have done seven grands prix before this one, and I think we have been victimised over the last year. Hopefully by next year when we have the race, all of this will be behind us,” he added.
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