Sunday 20 February 2011

Don't Bahrain on Bernie's Parade

"Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has said he will leave the decision on whether to hold the Bahrain Grand Prix to the country's Crown Prince"

So say the BBC.

I say "Eeek!"

The Foreign Office say not to travel there on non-essential business.

The race meeting is less than three weeks from now and anything could happen between then and now - the Prince could be exiled to Abu Dhabi by then.

The costs of postponing or cancelling the race would be astronomical but some teams are already threatening to boycott for the safety of their own people and I have to agree with them. According to the article, insurance exists but, as with any policy, they will try to weasel out of it - that's why they call it a risky business.

Bahrain is a geographically and politically very important, oil-rich island so I can see why Bernie wouldn't want to upset them but if I were an opposition protester then this would be too good an opportunity for publicity to miss. That means extra security in place - probably armed - probably army - I dread to think what could happen.

"F1 insiders have told BBC Sport that the teams' contractual commitments to Ecclestone's Formula 1 Management company mean they would be obliged to attend the race if it is held."

So, if they don't get shot by the army, they will get sued by Bernie!

The only other Grand Prix in the Middle East region is Abu Dhabi in November. I would imagine things are much more stable there but who knows?

Gosh, this post looks very serious and sinister.

By the way, did you know that the Bahraini people don't like The Flintstones?

But Abu Dhabi do!

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