F1: Tensions Build In Bahrain After Force India Incident

Formula 1

F1: Tensions Build In Bahrain After Force India Incident

Uncertainty lingers about the safety of members of the F1 community on the ground in Bahrain...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted April 19, 2012 Manama (BHR)

Bahraini Shiite Muslims cover their faces and run from tear gas canisters fired by riot police after a demonstration in Bahrain against the Formula One race taking place on April 22. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Four members of Force India found themselves stuck at an impromptu road block last night as protestors closed a highway with burning debris.

A firebomb landed close to their vehicle before they and the rest of the traffic caught in the incident were able to escape.

They were traveling in civilian clothes and with no F1 windscreen sticker, so it was a matter of pure bad luck, but worryingly, the team had taken advice from local security experts in planning its route, and yet still got into trouble.

Those members of the paddock who have steadfastedly refused to acknowledge any risks inherent in this weekend have been awakened from their complacency.

One of the four men – who works for the team’s radio partner – has now headed home, and another team member who was not involved has also been allowed to leave.

Meanwhile, Bahraini politician Jasim Husain, a senior opposition figure and former MP for Al-Wefaq, met with visiting F1 journalists Thursday morning.

Escorted into the media center by FOM and FIA representatives, he gave a positive view on the presence of the Grand Prix this weekend, and played down the connection between ongoing protests and the race.

“Most people in Bahrain are happy that F1 is back in Bahrain,” said Husain, “given its effects on the economy and social aspects, and see this as a sporting and economic event, rather than a political issue.”

Asked whether the race will be good for the country, he said: “I think so. Bahrain is going to benefit. We are going to be on the international news for three days, and focusing on the positive implications. So it is something very useful. It’s going to be changing the mood from some hot political issues to some sporting stuff, and definitely most people are happy with sports.

“Protests are definitely going to take place, we’ve been having protests before the event, and we’re going to have them during and afterwards, but there’s no connection.”

When it was suggested that some protests were focused on F1, he said: “It is easy to say that, but if F1 was not here, F1 would still be going on, so this is not the reason. For them it’s an opportunity to raise awareness, but this is not the reason we’re having the protests.

“We’ve always had some people who are not happy with F1, even in normal times, some people for religious reasons were not happy with it. You can in no way have all groups happy. But I can tell you most people are pleased and happy.”

Asked if he was personally concerned by security issues, he said: “Security is never really a big issue in Bahrain. I’m certainly not concerned. The protests are very much peaceful. People are having political issues which have to be addressed one way or the other. Even after you guys leave, we have some challenges.

“Bahrain stands out as peaceful, we are a tolerant society, we are a society where foreign nationals make up the majority of the population, they make up 52 percent of the population and 62 percent of the labor force with no hate crimes. People here are very tolerant and accept foreign nationals.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.