[Closed] F1 in Bahrain

do me a favour, its all bent beyond belief

For pity sake its car racing don 't make a issue out of it.

I'm uncomfortable with them being there BUT...

F1/the FIA are not a political organisation and shouldn't be making decisions based on politics. As such, if they believe it's safe to be there then I can see that they're in a difficult position whether they race or cancel the event - either is making a political statement.

In reality though, I suspect that money is the decider and that Bernie didn't want to cancel because he'd have been in breach of contract and liable for penalties...

So, England boycotting South Africa in the days of apartheid was irrelevant as it's just cricket?

One of the Force India guys took fright and was flown home after they apparently got caught up in a bit of protesting whilst driving back to their hotel

The whole circus has just come from China last weekend, I'm not sure Bahrain is any better/worse

Any one boycotting the london games following our fake war on lraq or occupation of afgan. Seem to remember huge outcry when russia invaded that country. Selectted boycoting then.

Jota - they got petrol bombed

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17767985

There is the possibility that the formula 1 grand prix going to there has raised awareness about conditions in Bahrain for a lot of people that would never have known or cared.
Not saying that Bernie is an international hero for the oppressed, but he's caused more cameras to be there than our media and government have ever done.

edit Guess what I'm trying to say is Bahrain would still be Bahrain with or without the race, but we wouldn't be talking about it if it wasn't for the racey cars.

Not quite TJ - there was one went off fairly close to them and one of the guys got the jitters

andyruss - not sure boycotting the Olympics over Iraq would work as that's been and gone, but Afghan would be a valid reason. I wonder what impat it would have?

As loum says, the British public watching the F1WGP may just get some unintended footage of absolute undemocratic brutality.

I'm against it being held there. There is the chance that the media attention may lead to lobbying towards our government that may pressure action. Or maybe the cameramen will be ordered not to catch anything, the public will have the wool pulled over their eyes and the government there may strengthen its position.

Anyone care to call Ladbrokes and see what they are offering on how many people are going to die there on the race weekend? It'll be like guessing how many sweeties are in the jar at a tombola. Cream tea and flags.

Considering bernie is watching his girlfriend in the London marathon, I guess he did not want to go to Bahrain then!

The grand prix gives the repressive government an air of credibility that it most certainly does not deserve. Next stop Zimbabwe? Oh no, that's not an oil-rich state.

Well, I don't think they should race there

It's one of [if not the] most boring circuits on the calendar to watch

hot temperatures plus pirelli tyres should help with that

The F1 race has nothing to do with politics, but will put a spotlight on it.

The undemocratic sectarian mess will be there with or without F1.

More publicity may well be a good thing.

Should it go ahead?

Yes it should if F1 does not consider itself to be a political sport...

But if there were to be a regime change in the next 12 months and a totally different government in power there come next season, then we should expect to see Bahrain on the calander again and Bernie with no comment on the politics of the new government, only comments on the track and organisation...

The sad truth as we all know is that Money is is what draws F1 to any country and the inverstment around this particular venue is pretty substantial: Apparently some thing like 2 billion USD worth of investment is going into "Business and educational facilities" in the area surrounding the BIC, such an investment would be under serious threat I expect if the F1 round in Bahrain was canceled 2 years on the trot, there are very substantial financial incentives for this race to go ahead no doubt, and plenty of people with lots of Money will be pressing for it, Human rights issues or not... Bernie knows this full well, Simply put cash trumps Human rights...

You won't see the great and the good on the grid this round - film and rock stars probably won't fancy being associated with violent suppression of Human rights no matter what Book/film/TV show they need to promote...

If F1 fans really wanted to register their displeasure at the Bahrain GP going ahead then they need to find a way to hit Ecclestone in the pocket, (its the only place the poisoned dwarf feels any sort of pain), might I suggest cancelling your Sky F1 subscription (assuming you have one) sighting the Bahrain GP as the specific reason for choosing to do so if asked, and then just watch the Beebs (still relatively good) coverage for the remainder of the season...

TBH the F1 race is insignificant, whether considerred as "increased publicity of the oppressive regime" or "lending the air of credibility".
Bahrain [u]will not[/u] change. That regime will continue.

Naval Support Activity Bahrain (or NSA Bahrain) is a United States Navy base, situated in the Kingdom of Bahrain and is home to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and United States Fifth Fleet. It is the primary base in the region for the naval and marine activities in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and formerly Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), to include when the later was changed Operation New Dawn (OND) until the end of the Iraq War.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Support_Activity_Bahrain
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Support_Activity_Bahrain <

sport may not be politics but one cannot inor ethe fact that be engaing in your sport in that country you ove legitimacy to that country anf that regime.
the GP is a vanity project for the leader and it would send him a signal
I am not surprised that Bernie thinks it is safe whilst staying at home He is brave where his wallet is concerned but not where he personally has to be he would have been in a general in WW1
I am surprised that the sponsors of the teams and events have not said something as i dont se ewhy they would want to be associated with this
It is highly unlikely the event will occur without a significant event and i just hope it ges off without any deaths

There will likely be protests at the race and imagine someone throws themselves in front of car to make a statement. IMHO it is not safe nor is it moral
It is all about money

Bernie is at the event...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17785335

It is all about money though.

Quite a sensible piece from Damon Hill in the Guardian though:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2012/apr/19/damon-hill-bahrain-grand-prix

You have to laugh at SniffPetrols take on it -

http://sniffpetrol.com/