Much to my chagrin, the Bahrain Grand Prix has been reinstated into the Formula One calendar for 2011. The race will now take place in the final weekend of October, which to me, is an incredulous decision. The race was thrown into doubt following civil unrest at the beginning of the year and was quite rightly postponed until further notice. However, Yesterday the FIA World Motor Sport Council unanimously decided that the race would take place after all, creating quite a mixed reception across the world.
For me, Mark Webber summed it up perfectly on his Twitter account: "when people in a country are being hurt, the issues are bigger than sport. Let's hope the right decision is made..". At the end of the day, F1 is a sport and it will always come off second best to people's welfare. The race was postponed fears fears that trouble may occur, so why has been it reinstated despite continuous chaos? I'm unconvinced that the FIA's team of experts who travelled to Bahrain found the country safe enough to host a Grand Prix in 2011.
Let's go back to my first sentence quickly: "much to my chagrin, the Bahrain Grand Prix has been reinstated into the Formula One calendar for 2011". As most of you are aware, I am not a huge fan of the Sakhir circuit. It has, in its seven year existence in F1, generated one fantastic overtake (Heidfeld on Alonso in '07) and one tense battle for the lead (Alonso v 'Schuey' in '06). They are the two highlights of racing in Bahrain. Nevertheless, just because a race track is dull and uneventful does not make it unworthy to host a Grand prix. What does make it unworthy, though, is that the race will take place in unsafe and potentially catastrophic circumstances.
F1 is showcased by hundreds of network stations worldwide and is broadcasted globally in endless mediums. Surely, the Bahraini people will envisage this as the perfect spotlight to get their message across? A state of emergency was lifted on Bahrain last Wednesday yet I am unclear as to why this happen. I'm not a cynic, but the fact that Amnesty International, a human rights group, have suggested that serious human rights violations continue to be committed in the country surely undermines that decision. Moreover, with reports of further violence in the Gulf kingdom's capital Manama, surely it is too much of a risk for the FIA to take. Would the FIA, and or Bernie Ecclestone, be happy to take F1 to picturesque setting of Libya or Zimbabwe right now? I'm guessing the answer will be no.
Part of the FIA statement read: “this decision reflects the spirit of reconciliation in Bahrain, which is evident from the strong support the race receives from the Government and all major parties in Bahrain, including the largest opposition group, all of whom endorse the Formula One Grand Prix and motor sport in the country". The Arab Spring uprisings may have since passed by from newspaper headlines but with a country in such disarray who are the FIA to gamble on the situation not erupting once again. Like I previously said, a Grand Prix weekend with the eyes of the world focused on Bahrain is the perfect opportunity for the protestors to make their feelings clear. Sure, a barrier around the circuit along with intense levels of security may keep the drivers safe, but what of many of the other team members and the world's media who camp in affordable hotels?
I do not see what F1 will gain from this. Bahrain is unlikely to build a lasting legacy in Motorsport in the immediate future while the racing on show rarely encapsulates the casual F1 fan. In addition, will the teams stamp down their authority on proceedings? I get the impression that nobody wants to travel to Bahrain currently, let alone race there. Webber has been the most vocal of the F1 paddock regarding the ongoing chaos and he posted this on his website: “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.”
Webber's opinions are undeniably weighty in the F1 given his stature in the sport and if his somebody like him feels this strongly, I get the impression many of the others, albeit privately, are behind him. His views, along with 1996 World Champion Damon Hill, offer credibility for those demanding the race to be boycotted. Consequently of Bahrain's reintroduction for October 30th, the Indian GP which has been moved to December and is now the season finale. It appears those in charge of the Indian GP were more than keen to reschedule, indicating that perhaps the construction of the circuit is flagging slightly.
However, let's think more economically. Say you have booked tickets and a hotel for the race in India and all of a sudden it has been moved to December at the very last minute. How is that fair, particularly as some may now be unable to attend a month and a half later having spent a great deal of money? It isn't. Moreover, how about the mechanics who are already desperate for a break. Those with families must surely be questioning whether they can manage a 20-race season. Furthermore, it is only going to get more congested. The provisional calendar for 2012 has been released, with the races totally a remarkable number of 21. It is far too much and undoubtedly some of the races may not be required in F1's more global future.
It is a shame that the FIA is out of touch with reality and have gone against public sentiment. The FIA also announced yesterday that next year’s 2012 F1 calendar will open with Bahrain on 11th March. with Bahrain as the first race on 11 March. The world will focused on Bahrain not once but twice in five months and will undoubtedly come under heavy scrutiny to be not only successful but safe.
I will leave you with Webber's closing comments from his website statement. He said: “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". I could not have put it better myself.
Josh.
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