Bahrain track chairman Zayed Alzayani is optimistic that the remainder of the GP weekend will present few issues for F1 teams. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Bahrain F1 Chief Plays Down Force India Incident: Bahrain's GP chief on Thursday played down the incident that caused a member of the Force India team to pull out of the event. The team member was granted permission by Force India chiefs to head back to the UK, after a rented van carrying his colleagues was caught up in a Molotov cocktail attack on the return trip from the circuit late on Wednesday. "They weren't targeted. They just happened to be there," said the Sakhir circuit's chairman Zayed R Alzayani, according to the BBC. "It could happen in any place in the world really, getting caught up in a riot or a fight or anything." He admitted there will "probably" be more incidents before the weekend is out. "I don't think they will be within the track or close to the track, and I think they will be handled in the right way." As for his advice to race-goers, Alzayani insisted: "Don't be too worried and too distracted not to enjoy the weekend." In a provided media statement on Thursday, the Bahrain International Circuit said Force India was caught up in an "isolated incident."

Rosberg Now In Top F1 Drivers' League - Berger: Nico Rosberg's F1 breakthrough proves he is ready to fight even for the World Championship. That is the view of former GP winner, team boss and co-owner Gerhard Berger, following Rosberg's first pole and win in China last weekend. "It surprised not me, but all the others who had doubted him," the Austrian told Auto Bild Motorsport. "It was about time. I was worried because I have always said I thought Nico was faster than Michael (Schumacher). Now he is finally where he has belonged for a long time – in the same league as Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso and Button," he insisted. "And when the (Mercedes) car is good enough, he is already ready for the world title." Berger, then as BMW motor sport director, said he was instrumental in 2002 in convincing Sir Frank Williams to give the then 17-year-old Rosberg his first F1 test. Also welcoming Sunday's breakthrough is Nelson Piquet Jr., another son of a World Champion who actually went to kindergarten with Rosberg in Monaco. "It's funny how in F1 things can take so long to happen," the Brazilian told Globo. "It took him more than six years to get his first victory, which for me is a long time considering how good a driver he is," added Piquet, now in NASCAR.

Ecclestone Meets Again With French Government Minister: Bernie Ecclestone has met yet again in London with David Douillet, the French sports minister. The F1 chief executive confirmed this week that a deal to alternate an annual calendar spot between France and Belgium's Spa-Francorchamps beginning next year is now close. "Spa have agreed; apparently they're going to do it in (Paul) Ricard," Ecclestone told the BBC. The French sports daily L'Equipe reports that the 81-year-old's latest meeting with Douillet is "another step towards the return of the Grand Prix de France." The meeting, reportedly confirmed by "several sources including those in Belgium," is Ecclestone's second with Douillet in 2012.

Ferrari Tabs Former Red Bull Man Agathangelou: Ferrari has bolstered its aerodynamic team by hiring a former Red Bull team member. Italy's Omnicorse, and Marca in Spain, are reporting that Briton Ben Agathangelou has been signed by the famous Maranello-based team, which in 2012 is struggling notably in the area of aerodynamics. Omnicorse said he was the choice of technical director Pat Fry, who worked with Agathangelou at McLaren. The report said one of his tasks will be integrating Ferrari's in-house wind tunnel activites with the outsourcing at Toyota's state of the art facility at Cologne. Among Agathangelou's most recent jobs was with Dallara on the HRT project. He has also worked with Benetton, Jaguar, Honda and Brawn GP.

F1 Team Mercedes To Lose Aabar Ownership: Mercedes GP could be set to lose a major shareholder. Citing informed sources, the German 'Manager Magazin' reports that the Abu Dhabi investment vehicle Aabar is in talks to end its involvement with the Brackley-based team as well as Mercedes' parent Daimler. Daimler and Aabar did not immediately comment. Aabar owns 40 percent of Mercedes GP, but recently watered-down its Daimler involvement from nine to just three percent.

Rumors Fly After Sauber Sponsor 'Teaser': Sauber's 'teaser' has done the trick, triggering paddock speculation about its forthcoming major backer. Last weekend in China, off the back of Sergio Perez's recent push for victory at Sepang, the small Swiss team ran mysterious 'Out of the blue' signage on the C31's engine cover. The Blick newspaper said it was a "teaser" for a "big sponsor" that will be "announced in a few weeks." So who is it? Germany's Auto Motor und Sport relayed paddock rumors hinting that the deal could be with AT&T, the American multinational that last year pulled its title sponsorship of the then-struggling Williams team. Another paddock whisper is that Sauber's new deal could be with the Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, to promote his English premier league club Chelsea.