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Unrest in Bahrain threatens opening grand prix of season

17 February 2011 01:35 (UTC +04:00)

Baku â€“ APA. Anti-government protests in Bahrain have cast doubts over the staging of the opening grand prix of the season in the Gulf state next month, APA reports quoting CNN.
Teams are due to be testing in the kingdom from March 3-6 with the race weekend proper from March 11-13.
But recent incidents, in which two protesters have died, have forced race organizers to offer assurances that it will go ahead smoothly.
"The safety of all Bahraini nationals, expats and overseas visitors is a priority at all times in the kingdom and, at the Bahrain International Circuit, our focus at the present time is on delivering another successful event in the form of the Bahrain Grand Prix," said Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, the circuit chief executive.
"We are monitoring the situation very closely indeed in association with the relevant authorities, and will respond appropriately to any further developments."
Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has also voiced his concerns over the situation.
The danger is obvious isn’t it? If these people wanted to make a fuss and get worldwide recognition it would be easy, wouldn’t it?
"The danger is obvious isn’t it? If these people wanted to make a fuss and get worldwide recognition it would be easy, wouldn’t it?
"You start making a problem on the start grid in Bahrain and it would get worldwide coverage," he told the Daily Telegraph.
Ecclestone’s concerns would appear to be borne out by Nabeel Rajab, the vice president of the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights.
"For sure F1 is not going to be peaceful this time," he told the Press Association.
"There’ll be lots of journalists, a lot of people looking and (the government) will react in a stupid manner as they have done, and that will be bloody, but will be more publicized.
"This will not stop, especially now when people have died. I don’t think it’s going to stop easily."
The unrest in Bahrain follows the pattern of Tunisia and Egypt where civil protests have led to the resignations of each country’s president.
The Bahrainis are seeking to end the 30-year rule of their prime minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa.
Bahrain first hosted a grand prix in 2004 and has been the season-opener of the Formula One circuit since 2006.