FIA speaking for Bahrain’s opposition, says “the main political oppositon” supports return of F1

FIA Spokesman: “The FIA, like many in the diplomatic community in the kingdom, the main political opposition, as well as the UK-Bahrain All-Party Parliamentary Group writing in the Times, believes the staging of a Grand Prix would be beneficial in bridging some of the difficulties Bahrain is experiencing.

Bernie Ecclestone resists calls to cancel Bahrain Grand Prix
14 February, 20120 – Guardian – Paul Weaver

Bernie Ecclestone, the F1 commercial rights holder, says the demonstrators were just a lot of kids having a go at the police.

A fresh plea for the cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix was made on Tuesday as armoured vehicles rumbled through the capital, Manama, helicopters whirred overhead, protesters threw petrol bombs and police responded with teargas as violence commemorated the anniversary of last year’s Day of Rage pro-democracy uprising in the Gulf kingdom.

Maryam al-Khawaja, head of the foreign relations office at the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, said: “The government promised changes last year but no changes have taken place because there is no incentive to make them. And tortures are still taking place.

“The government want the message to go out that it is business as usual. But today armoured vehicles went into residential areas for the first time since last year’s martial law ended in June. I have heard reports of protesters being thrown from rooftops and others having legs broken. That it is why Formula One should make a stand and call this race off.”

But the resolute message from the Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone and the sport’s governing body, the FIA, is that the race will go ahead on 22 April. Last year’s event, which was due to open the season, was cancelled after two postponements.

Ecclestone, the sport’s commercial rights holder, said day: ” I expected there was going to be a big uprising today, with the anniversary. But I think what happened, apparently, was that here were a lot of kids having a go at the police. I don’t think it’s anything serious at all.

“It doesn’t change our position in any shape or form. If the people in Bahrain [the government] say, ‘Look Bernie, it wouldn’t be good for you to come over here,’ then I would think again. That is what they said last year.”

Meanwhile in Paris an FIA spokesman said: “The FIA, like many in the diplomatic community in the kingdom, the main political opposition, as well as the UK-Bahrain All-Party Parliamentary Group writing in the Times, believes the staging of a Grand Prix would be beneficial in bridging some of the difficulties Bahrain is experiencing. …more