Bahrain GP situation: postponed, reinstated, cancelled

[WhiteBlue]

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I have pointed out that there is a clash of interests which leads to Todt not applying standing FiA policies in this case.

The FiA must internally decide how to deal with this. In my view it is not a case that calls for resignation but some may see it different. The honourable thing for Todt to do would be declaring himself biased in the case and passing the decision to someone neutral.

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[Maelstrom]

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I am wondering why the Bahrain race organisers haven't been fined/rebuked for the unif1cation stunt. It's something that definately stinks.

[Richard]

Keep to topic please! I'm referring to the background to the potential cancellation (or not) of the Bahrain GP. This does not include the personality of forum members, nor the machiavellian conspiracies in the FIA.

[PlatinumZealot]

You are a very wise man.
Most posters in here have never lived in a "violent" country to know this happens all the time.

This video highlights why I tend to be a little bit sceptical of events and how they are depicted in the media. It shows in a very neutral way how many photo's are staged. http://vimeo.com/29280708

[sknguy]

There are elements who would portray events for specific purposes. It's unfortunate that the central issue often becomes clouded. I just don't think the west is doing the Bahraini people any favors either way. If FIA want to show some respect for the conflict perhaps they could hold a moment of silence for those who've died. This is actually quite troubling for myself.

[strad]

Predominantly, of course, the protesters called for the end of the reign of King Hamad as they seek democratic reform and an end to reported human rights injustices. Police maintained a watching vigil on the perimeter, and were ultimately not required once the hour-long march came to an end.
One protester said: 'We hope this sends out a big message to Formula One.'
A former leading Bahraini politician, meanwhile, has claimed there are 'fears we could see some casualties' during the course of this weekend's race.
14 months on from the 'Day of Rage' that resulted in the deaths of many protesters, such reforms appear too slow in coming given the publication of a 58-page report into Bahrain by Amnesty International.
The leading human rights organisation insist 'not much has changed in the country since the brutal crackdown' last year.
Given the daily clashes between police and protesters, there are concerns the latter will use F1's arrival and its global reach to ram home their message.

[PlatinumZealot]

Given the daily clashes between police and protesters, there are concerns the latter will use F1's arrival and its global reach to ram home their message.

I thought the protesters were the good guys?

[Hail22]

Given the daily clashes between police and protesters, there are concerns the latter will use F1's arrival and its global reach to ram home their message.

I thought the protesters were the good guys?

They are, however they see the F1 in Bahrain as Government propoganda to boost their profile over the protesters.

[PlatinumZealot]

So who are the threat to F1? The protestors then?

[Hail22]

So who are the threat to F1? The protestors then?

Unfortunately that could be the case, it would of helped if the FIA and FOM sent advisors to the protest leaders to inform them the Grand Prix has no political agenda nor in support of oppression.

However they have decided to hide in private jets, high powered PMC security.

[WhiteBlue]

So who are the threat to F1? The protestors then?

Perhaps that question is a bit ambiguous. There are several threats to F1.

1. Threat to the race next weekend
The biggest threat to the race happening would be a re evaluation of the security situation. That could be triggered by a number of concerns from F1 stake holders or insurance providers.

2. Threat to the credibility of the FiA F1 championship
The biggest threat there is the clash of interest that some members of the current FiA administrations are obviously having.
Abdulla Al-Khalifa - member of the FiA WMSC, President of the International Karting Commission and of the Bahrain Motor Federation - would want to protect his family business interests, the constitution of the kingdom and the government of his uncle who is prime minister of Bahrain.
Jean Todt - president of the FiA - wants to be re elected or wants to have a successor of his choice elected next year.
Those clashes of interest could ruin the reputation and commercial value of the championship and the FiA as the world governing body of motor sport. It would be the more serious threat IMO.

[PlatinumZealot]

Yes, that maybe true but I was more speaking to "on the ground" threats.

The so called protestors - who hate the current government - do not want F1 to come to the country because they think it is a sign of the government putting aside the people, ignoring them,turning the other way spending millions for the silly elitist game called Formula 1?

Even though Formula 1 will bring millions of foreign dollars to Bahrain pockets - the protestors are going to bust "stuff" up?

So at the end of the day the major concern.. is the safety of F1? OR the disgruntled people? (who are probalby only 30% of the counry of 2 million) who nothing is going to change for if F1 doesn't come anyway.

[Hail22]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJX-RTiBKbc

You are grossly incorrect, the Shiite Muslims outnumber the miniority Sunni Royal family/citizens.

They want dialogue and democratic elections to remove the corrupt royal/government for a more "people" elected leader.

[ArchAngel]

I am wondering why the Bahrain race organisers haven't been fined/rebuked for the unif1cation stunt. It's something that definately stinks.

+1. Tons of royal moolah shoved into Bernie's trousers along with the realpolitiks surrounding the situation explains why F1 is unnecessarily embroiled in that region's mess.

I thought the protesters were the good guys?

Sadly, they see F1 as allied with the 'bad guys', and many among the locals have even been misguided into taking an 'us against the world' stance. They're not intelligently leveraging the international exposure to their full advantage. The undertones of probable threat & harm to the F1 contingent that they are perpetuating only smears their image as oppressed freedom fighters.

[Maelstrom]

I see two things happening.

Either the race goes smoothly and the people of Bahrain and other people are left with a bitter taste at the stunts the F1 administration has allowed the Bahrain rulers to pull.

or

There is violence at the Grand Prix. People get injured and the protestors get labelled terrorists. (Incidentally something the royals won't mind)

Either way its a fiasco waiting to happen. I see no way this can work unless the F1 administration does its job and issues a statement to te effect that it doesn't support any side in the conflict and fines the royals.

Lastly it doesn't say much about F1 fans like us that we will still tune in to watch the race regardless of what happens. They have taken a sport we love and dragged it through the mud. There really needs to be a petition that can be signed by fans to get the F1 administration to take action.

I'm not of the opinion that the protestors should be supported either. I just think that F1 as a sport has no business in a political conflict. Just stay out of it. Let it be about the racing and nothing else.