Bernie Ecclestone strongly favours Bahrain Grand Prix to go ahead as planned – Formula 1 news
Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says that the Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead as planned and is not in danger of being cancelled unless the situation in the country worsens significantly enough.
He said that he is hoping for an entertaining and problem free race and only under some “incontrovertible evidence” of events in the country can change his opinion of going ahead with the Grand Prix event.
In 2011, the Bahrain Grand Prix was made a fiasco of a situation, as in the wake of some political instability and riots the event was under threat. A team was sent to the country to make sure the situation was viable for the race to be held.
At first, it was deemed safe by the team, but later because of continuous reports of civil unrest the decision was finally made to abandon the race for 2011. Ecclestone had remained reluctant to do so but pressure from the teams and drivers led to the decision.
For 2012, the F1 Supremo has put his foot down and made a statement that the race is most certain to go ahead as planned.
“We have been assured that this is not what's happening,” he said. “In fact they had a report made, allegedly independent. What did the report say? Yes, there were instances or whatever, but ... I wanted to go out there. I was happy to go.”
“We pulled out of South Africa years ago because of apartheid. I witnessed things that had happened there which upset me. I thought: 'That ain't the way to go on.' I hope we go to Bahrain and there's no trouble - the race goes on, the public are happy and
there are no dramas. That's what I hope,” he further added.
It is true that other countries have had issues as well. During the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix, McLaren driver Jenson Button was surrounded by gunmen, but luckily they were unsuccessful. However, that did not stop Button from going to the Brazilian Grand
Prix in 2011 and in fact, he said he was looking forward to it.
It would be interesting to see how teams and drivers behave in 2012 as the race approaches close.
Tags: