F1: Team Boss Expresses Bahrain Concerns

Formula 1

F1: Team Boss Expresses Bahrain Concerns

Bahrain GP is being questioned by at least one team leader...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted April 09, 2012 Balen (BEL)

The Bahrain race has been the subject of much controversy. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

An unidentified F1 team boss has spoken out about his fears for the safety of his personnel should the Bahrain GP go ahead.

Until now team insiders have resolutely stuck to the ‘we have faith in the FIA and FOM to make the right decision line, but today the team boss – speaking anonymously – made it clear to the UK’s Guardian newspaper that the teams are concerned, despite there being no formal government advice against going.

“I feel very uncomfortable about going to Bahrain,” he said. “If I'm brutally frank, the only way they can pull this race off without incident is to have a complete military lock-down there. And I think that would be unacceptable, both for Formula One and for Bahrain. But I don't see any other way they can do it.

“We're all hoping the FIA calls it off. From a purely legal point of view, in terms of insurance and government advice, we are clear to go. But what we find worrying is that there are issues happening every day.
“Other team principals are going through the same worries. I spent all last week making sure the insurances are right so I can reassure the teams. I've sent out an email to our legal department to make sure all our employees are covered for acts of terrorism and civil disorder while traveling to, during and coming back from the Bahrain GP.”

He stressed that the main concern was for staff: “We have a lot of people. Our first and foremost priority has to be our employees. And their families. That's what concerns us most, even though we've not said anything about it. It seems to me that while there has been some political progress in Bahrain they're not quite ready. The best thing would be for the race to be postponed until later in the year, or even cancelled.

“But that is a decision that must be made by the FIA, FOM [Formula One Management] and the commercial rights holder. I never anticipated a decision being made until the week before China. I believe Jean Todt is in China, which is interesting.”