Bahrain not looking good.

rawsy

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Protestor's death and rioting rekindles Bahrain Grand Prix fears | Bahrain Grand Prix | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1

While race organisers and Formula One officials have been upbeat about their decision to go ahead with the Bahrain Grand Prix in three weeks time, their fears that the event would lead to an escalation of protests within the kingdom appear to have been realised after a weekend of violence which left one person dead.

Unrest on Saturday escalated after it emerged a 22-year-old had been killed after being hit by a shot from a civilian vehicle following closely behind the police. That triggered more widespread protests, some specifically against the staging of the race, on Sunday and police fought running battles to try to maintain control. They fired teargas into crowds and made a number of arrests.

The family of the protestor refused to sign his death certificate as it did not mention his having been shot as a cause of death. "We will receive his body when they change the report. The police have pressured us to take him, but we said no," his sister Nadya said on Sunday. "He is already dead, we can wait to put him under the ground. He was killed with his camera because he was showing the world our revolution."

The authorities are concerned that the funeral will be a centrepoint for more protests.

The incidents call into question reassurances given by Sheikh Abdullah bin Isa al-Khalifa, the president of the Automobile Federation of Bahrain, that no additional security would be necessary. Behind the scenes it is believed a huge security operation is being mounted to ensure no demonstrators can get near to the circuit or the hotels housing the Formula One roadshow.

However, protesters have vowed to disrupt the race weekend in any way they can, with demonstrations planned for central Manama as well as at the circuit.

Last week Bernie Ecclestone criticised the media for inflaming the situation with reports of more protests. "Seriously, the press should just be quiet and deal with the facts rather than make up stories," he said.

i like bernies comment at the end. it should read " why are the press doing their jobs?? its costing me lots of money"
 
Bernie is hectic for making sure he get's his cash, i read this earlier and it does seam we may not been going to Bahrain :(
 
this is not good new at all.....

but the safty of the drivers comes first.....
 
...and the fans.

I'm sure if its cancelled once more, then this will be the last time we see it on the F1 calendar and Big Ecc will sniff out another rich country for next year
 
Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead - FIA | Bahrain Grand Prix | Formula 1 news, live F1 | ESPN F1

The FIA insists the Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled this year despite concerns about the security situation in the country.

The race, which is scheduled to take place in a week's time, has dominated F1's news agenda in recent weeks as reports of increasingly violent protests have emerged from the Gulf state. Up until now the FIA has remained quiet on the issue while Bernie Ecclestone and the race organisers have maintained the race will go ahead.

On Friday morning the FIA released a statement saying it is happy the appropriate security measures are in place.

"The FIA is the governing body of motor sport and therefore of Formula One. As such, it sets the season's calendars following the proposal of the Commercial Rights Holder (CRH) in accordance with the local national authorities in all matters relating to safety.

"Within that context, the FIA ensures that any event forming part of an FIA World Championship is organised in compliance with the FIA Statutes and the relevant Sporting and Technical Regulations and that the safety of the public, officials, drivers and teams is secured at all times during an event.

"The FIA must make rational decisions based on the information provided to us by the Bahraini authorities and by the Commercial Rights Holder. In addition we have endeavoured to assess the ongoing situation in Bahrain.

"President Jean Todt led a fact-finding mission to the Kingdom in November 2011, meeting a large number of decision-makers and opinion formers, including elected Shia members of parliament, the president of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, ambassadors from the European Union countries, the Crown Prince, the Interior Minister and many members of 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. Away from the public eye, the FIA has received regular security briefings from the most senior diplomatic officials based in the Kingdom as well as from other independent experts.

"The 2012 calendar, as presented by the CRH, was ratified by the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in September 2011. Since then no request from the F1 Commission or the CRH has been made to the WMSC to either postpone or cancel the Bahrain Grand Prix.

"Based on the current information the FIA has at this stage, it is satisfied that all the proper security measures are in place for the running of a Formula One World Championship event in Bahrain.

"Therefore, the FIA confirms that the 2012 Gulf Air F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain will go ahead as scheduled."

Some members of the teams are known to be unhappy about competing against the backdrop of protests and unrest, but officially the Formula One Teams' Association has said last week it will follow the FIA's recommendation.

ah well the F.I.A have spoken. glad there is a race but hope there isnt any trouble. also with actually having the race i will finally get 20 tracks in the f1 game when 2012 comes out yay
 
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