The Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead next week as planned, Formula One bosses declared yesterday, despite fears it could be targeted by violent anti-government demonstrations.
The sport’s governing body, FIA, and commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone made separate announcements in Shanghai, venue of the Chinese Grand Prix.
The controversial Bahrain event set for April 22 has overshadowed the lead-up to tomorrow’s race in Shanghai and many teams are believed to have grave concerns.
It was postponed last year after protests against the government erupted, and then removed from the 2011 schedule, and was thought to be in jeopardy once again because of the more than year-long demonstrations.
With the FIA and Ecclestone under intense pressure to make a final ruling, the flamboyant 81-year-old had a 30-minute meeting with the teams before emerging to proclaim the race had never been in any doubt.
Asked by AFP if he was 100 per cent sure Bahrain was on, he said: “Two hundred per cent.”
Ecclestone added: “Everybody’s happy. You guys are happy.”
Prompted if he had any concerns, he said: “Not at all. It’s a ‘problem’ which has been discussed by the media, who have no idea what is going on.
“This race is on the calendar and has been on the calendar for quite a long time. We will be there. All the teams are happy to be there.”
The FIA said in a statement that it was “satisfied” that sufficient security was in place at the Sakhir circuit to deter protesters who say they will target the event.
FIA president Jean Todt led a fact-finding mission to the kingdom in November, it added, meeting the interior minister, members of the royal family, European ambassadors and the business community.
“All expressed their wish for the grand prix to go ahead in 2012, and since then, the FIA has kept in close touch with all these stakeholders,” the FIA said.
Bahrain says it is now safe there, despite a recent upsurge in violence and mounting sectarian tensions, including a bomb blast Monday that wounded seven police officers and a revenge attack on Shi’ite villagers.