Bahrain GP situation: postponed, reinstated, cancelled

[MIKEY_!]

...western backed rebels who contain elements of Al Qaeda. Strange world isn't it where western leaders are backing elements who they've been fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan for the last decade.

Well it was the USA that trained and payed for these groups to be set up in the 80's to fight communism.

Anyway, F1 should definitely not race in Bahrain now, F1 should not risk being associated with these totalitarian regimes. Bahrain is not even fit to host a race next year or the year after, unless this regime changes or becomes much fairer.

[bhall]

"These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world... and then we [intercoursed] up the endgame." ~ Charlie Wilson

[Pup]

I think the message is clear. The picture shows people in simulated racing gear featuring F1 team logos and carrying automatic weapon models of 70% scale.

An obvious commentary on oppressive FIA wind tunnel restrictions. These aren't your everyday protesters we're dealing with here.

[Pup]

...western backed rebels who contain elements of Al Qaeda. Strange world isn't it where western leaders are backing elements who they've been fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan for the last decade.

Not sure how strange it is. Once you accept the US and the Sauds as allies against Al Quaeda, strange pretty much becomes the norm.

[Hero19]

http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/0 ... -one-race/

The picture merely means that F1 and all the teams will be - by racing in Bahrain - participating in the crimes of the Bahraini regime against the peaceful protesters. The Bahraini government is under a massive pressure now, because the economy isn't doing so well, and at some point they will have to make concessions to the opposition in order to ensure their survival. After all, no government stands a chance if the economy collapses. However, racing in Bahrain will reinstate the government's claims that everything is normal in the country, giving them cover to commit more crimes and kill more people. And of course they can do that because the world doesn't dare to say a single word because of the Saudi oil. I learned the hard way that the life of a Bahraini doesn't worth the value of a barrel of oil sold by the Saudis to the so-called democratic western countries. Oh human beings, how disgusting..

[strad]

Agree with Damon

It is a very difficult call and my concern is that F1 is perceived to be indifferent, and that would be really damaging for F1."

Agree with protesters...

"This is a dictator who is saying that. But that is not the people saying that," he said. "The dictator is benefiting from that, the dictator wants to tell the outside world that the whole thing is back to normal... they want to come back from isolation and say that everything is back to normal.

"But on the other hand they are killing people, detaining people, torturing people. Everything is not back to normal and F1 should not help Bahrain's leaders to [think it is] so."

There should be no 2012 Bahrain G.P.

[MIKEY_!]

And they must convince the west (well, potential investors anyway) that all is normal. Their economy will suffer even more if fighting continues and investment dries up. If the economy suffers more then protests will get bigger and the government will be in even more difficulty. It's a vicious circle.

[spinmastermic]

When the race does get cancelled, will we have to go through Bernie trying to squeeze it back in later in the year again?

[Hail22]

When the race does get cancelled, will we have to go through Bernie trying to squeeze it back in later in the year again?

After June the season becomes a hell hole, basically it would be risky and very expensive to disturb the European/return Asian leg just to go to a Grand Prix we all know should be permanently barred until a democratic vote occurs.

[Maelstrom]

When the race does get cancelled, will we have to go through Bernie trying to squeeze it back in later in the year again?

After June the season becomes a hell hole, basically it would be risky and very expensive to disturb the European/return Asian leg just to go to a Grand Prix we all know should be permanently barred until a democratic vote occurs.

This really is a mess of Bernie's own doing. He shouldn't have scheduled Bahrain this year at all. Atleast not this early. There were problems with Bahrain last year too. Sad part is that probably the only person to not lose money if this GP gets cancelled will be Bernie.

[Hail22]

When the race does get cancelled, will we have to go through Bernie trying to squeeze it back in later in the year again?

After June the season becomes a hell hole, basically it would be risky and very expensive to disturb the European/return Asian leg just to go to a Grand Prix we all know should be permanently barred until a democratic vote occurs.

This really is a mess of Bernie's own doing. He shouldn't have scheduled Bahrain this year at all. Atleast not this early. There were problems with Bahrain last year too. Sad part is that probably the only person to not lose money if this GP gets cancelled will be Bernie.

Don't Forget Ferrari they don't lose money what Bernie gets they get a percentage a long with RBR, Mercedes.

The only team really hurting from this is Macca as 50% of Mclaren is owned by Bahrain royals...go figure.

[MIKEY_!]

Oops. As if the politics needed to get any more complicated.

[ArchAngel]

To use children in this staged way just to drive home their point is disturbing & utterly distasteful, righteous as their protest may be.

[MIKEY_!]

And sadly not uncommon.

[Maelstrom]

Don't Forget Ferrari they don't lose money what Bernie gets they get a percentage a long with RBR, Mercedes.

The only team really hurting from this is Macca as 50% of Mclaren is owned by Bahrain royals...go figure.

That must really suck for McLaren. But if they end up winning the WDC and WCC which they have atleast a fair shot of doing i'm sure they will be okay.