FORUMula1.com

[What's Burning?]

Or one crazed villain hell bent on revenge. If he had access to Iron Man's arc reactor technology, I saw the movie.

[Jabberwocky]

"Other team principals are going through the same worries. I spent all last week making sure the insurances are right so I can reassure the teams.

So, who's the anonymous team boss? Let the speculations begin...

I'll play your game....

Horner, looking out for RBR and STR? or Helmut Marko!
Whitmarsh, acting as FOTA Chairman
Maybe Bernie sending some chaf up

[bud]

Sounds like Whitmarsh to me.

As a McLaren fan you would prefer they did race there but ultimately I don't see it happening.

[What's Burning?]

Source BBC America; Formula 1's governing body has confirmed the Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead on 22 April.

The decision comes after speculation about the event in the Gulf state, in which civil unrest has continued since protests in February 2011.

The FIA has been under pressure to call off the race amid security concerns.

But a statement said it was "satisfied that all the proper security measures are in place for the running of a Formula 1 world championship event".

And F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has said in an interview with BBC F1 presenter Jake Humphrey that he would be "very surprised if we have problems".

Protesters in Bahrain have called for the race to be cancelled. It is closely tied with the ruling royal family, who are being pressured to improve human rights and make reforms by the majority Shia population, who accuse the minority ruling Sunnis of discrimination.

Pressure has built in recent weeks as riots have continued in Shia neighbourhoods.

In a statement on Friday Amnesty International said a "blind eye" should not be turned to the "ongoing human rights crisis in the country".

"Holding the Grand Prix in Bahrain in 2012 risks being interpreted by the government of Bahrain as symbolizing a return to business as usual," it added.

[Hammer278]

And right after that news;

Protestors burn Ecclestone flags in Bahrain

Bahrain protesters have stepped up their anti-grand prix campaign, with F1 vowing to push ahead with a race in the troubled island Kingdom next week.

After the FIA declared that the race is definitely going ahead, Bernie Ecclestone on Friday met with team bosses in the Shanghai paddock.

“There’s nothing (bad) happening. I know people who live there and it’s all very quiet and peaceful,” the F1 chief executive insisted.

Media reports, however, suggest otherwise. Photos have emerged of protesters burning flags depicting Ecclestone’s face, whilst others marched in F1 overalls and helmets, carrying machine guns. Anti-F1 graffiti, meanwhile, is sprayed on walls throughout the capital Manama.

Ecclestone, however, told the BBC late on Friday that the Bahrain protesters are “not protesting about Formula One”.

So with the race still scheduled, are the teams feeling comfortable?

“All the teams are happy to be there,” insisted Ecclestone.

Commented Red Bull’s Christian Horner after the meeting with the F1 chief executive: “The FIA have obviously done their research and come out with a clear statement that as a team entered into the championship we respect.

“We’ll do our best to ensure that all our guys and girls are in a secure environment, but I don’t doubt that for a moment.”

______________________________________

What a drama...

[f1bettings]

It seems to be 2 religions that are also separated by class and wealth.

[LewEngBridewell]

This story has received quite a lot of coverage on the national news here in the UK. What do we all think? Are we glad the race is going ahead in Bahrain?

I can understand both sides of the argument, but in a rather selfish way, I can't wait to see how the track fares under the new regs. On paper, we should be in for a good race.

[andrew]

The teams have said that they are happy to go so let them race. Those who are against the race happening can simply not watch it and pretend it didn't happen.

[LewEngBridewell]

I just hope the race is not a magnet for intense protestors, like sporting events often are. I'm sure the security will be tight though.

[What's Burning?]

I hope there's no unnecessary bloodshed, but I'm not convinced that will be the case. The fear isn't for anyone surrounding F1, it's for another mass attack of civilians. It's an embarrassment to the ruling family and to business first attitude of Bernie, the sole purpose of this race has always been to gain notoriety in the west. It's likely we'll be having this thread going on with the same questions, points and counterpoints in 2013.

[scotty]

Wouldn't be surprised if some idiot invades the track at one point...

[Hammer278]

Wouldn't be surprised if some idiot invades the track at one point...

This normally delivers some intense racing as it shakes the order up completely....I remember intruders making a race at Silverstone and another at Hockenheim instant classics!

But not wishing for it though. If it happens, it happens.

[andrew]

Wouldn't be surprised if some idiot invades the track at one point...

You need to go to Germany for that kind of action though the guy wasn't an idiot, just got his message accross in an idiotic way.

[PartsaS]

I am sure the people of bahrain feel betrayed and they have every right to protest against capitalism and their fascist goverment, and for our bad luck f1 is a pretty capitalistic sport, which puts fuel in the already burning political situation, I understand why they are targeting our sport, I suggest we give them Bernie so they let everyone else go on with the gp. They will be happy they got in their hands a super rich scumbag, and we will be happy we got rid f1's biggest problem of the last years.

[darwin dali]

This is the perfect opportunity for the other teams to catch up with Mercedes and their trick ducts. Some sniper might well shoot the duct holes into their rear wing - a cheap solution but possibly a bit shoddy as the holes could be off by a mm or two