Webber, ….sport isn’t above having a social responsibility and conscience

Webber casts doubt on Bahrain race
5 June 2011

Red Bull Racing driver Mark Webber says he will be ‘highly surprised’ if the reinstated Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead later this year, despite the FIA’s decision to set a new date for the race. During a World Motor Sport Council meeting in Barcelona on Friday, a 26-strong panel unanimously voted for the event to be staged on the weekend of October 28-30, but Webber believes the wrong choice has been made.

“My opinion is unchanged since I was first asked about this in late February,” the Australian explained on his official website. “Even though a decision has been made, I’ll be highly surprised if the Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead this year.

“In my personal opinion, the sport should have taken a much firmer stance earlier this year rather than constantly delaying its decision in hope of being able to re-schedule it in 2011. It would have sent a very clear message about F1’s position on something as fundamental as human rights and how it deals with moral issues.

“It’s obvious that the parties involved have struggled to reach a decision but sadly I feel that they still haven’t made the right one. Like it or not, F1 and sport in general isn’t above having a social responsibility and conscience. I hope F1 is able to return to Bahrain eventually but now isn’t the right time.

Webber added that he would not be happy to race at the Sakhir International Circuit in October, arguing that the situation in the country could worsen again as a result.

“As a competitor I do not feel at all comfortable going there to compete in an event when, despite reassurances to the contrary, it seems inevitable that it will cause more tension for the people of that country. I don’t understand why my sport wishes to place itself in a position to be a catalyst for that.” …more