Bahrain GP Debate

[Brogan]

I would like to, but the site will be out of date so I'll get it done.

Besides, what else could I possibly have to do on a Friday evening...

 

[Jen]

The important thing is that the teams are unanimous in their desire not to undertake this race.

Would BE or whoever sue all of the teams? If he did would they (the teams) rock up for the last race(s)? - sorry haven't seen the revised schedule - would he actually have a grid for the start of 2012?

He must feel confident that the teams will fall in line - I would hope that they might tell him to get stuffed (how will that come out in the swear filter)

 

[Chad Stewarthill]

How convenient. The Foreign Office updated their travel advice to Bahrain yesterday:

Middle East and North Africa

Bahrain

Still current at: 03 June 2011
Updated: 02 June 2011

This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Travel Summary. The overall level of advice has changed; we no longer advise against all but essential travel to Bahrain; there are now no travel restrictions in place in Bahrain.

 

[mjo]

It seems a bit ... staged???
(Unlikely, I know)

 

[Slyboogy]

Well...kind of expected I have to say...due to the deadlines getting moved everytime they reach them.

 

[Chad Stewarthill]

If the teams were to somehow come together and boycott the October race, or if trouble in Bahrain flared up again to make it impossible to go anyway, could the F1 circus really then go there for the 2012 race, just a few months later?
And could this be why there are 21 races on the 2012 provisional calendar? Do Bernie and/or the FIA expect one or more to fall off the list?

 

[sportsman]

If the teams were to somehow come together and boycott the October race, or if trouble in Bahrain flared up again to make it impossible to go anyway, could the F1 circus really then go there for the 2012 race, just a few months later?
And could this be why there are 21 races on the 2012 provisional calendar? Do Bernie and/or the FIA expect one or more to fall off the list?

The Turkish GP does have an *next to it (subject to confirmation)

 

[The Artist.....]

And could this be why there are 21 races on the 2012 provisional calendar? Do Bernie and/or the FIA expect one or more to fall off the list?

There is that tantalising asterisk next to the Turkey race - "To Be Confirmed"...

In other words, I suspect that the Turkey race is listed there just in case one of the others drops off - whether Bahrain or the US GP! Certainly, as far as I am aware, the Concorde agreement has a maximum number of races set at 20!

 

[sportsman]

Snap.We both posted together.

 

[landogeorgelewis1]

I hope all the top teams come together and decide to boycott this race. Mark Webber already has reservations about going and if enough drivers kick up a stink it could be boycotted easily. If the FIA decide to fine teams for this then i'll lose what little respect i had for them, as this is drivers and teams lives at danger if violence was to kick off again in Bahrain.

 

[Fenderman]

They seem to be being incredibly optimistic whilst keeping an option or two in their back pocket. UK news coverage of the Bahrain situation has been very light compared to that given to the other "uprisings" in the region. Coverage on Arabic TV stations has been much more in depth but the average punter here in the UK could be forgiven for thinking that events in Bahrain haven't been as bad as in Yemen, Libya and Syria for example, and that conditions are improvng. BE, the FIA and our government should be under no such illusions unless they have a xenophobic take on world affairs that is somehow blinding their view.

I don't believe that is the case so it may be that, in a bizarre attempt to bring the regime into line, they are using F1 as a carrot. Thus far the UK and UN et al, have avoided the use of any sticks, such as sanctions, but I think they're playing it much too softly, softly. One can keep a lid on a boiling pot only for so long before the pressure blows it away.

 

[sportsman]

This is virtually exactly what my daughter told me last night.She is a contracts lawyer for an F1 team.
John Watson said this

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/formula_one/13647920.stm
"I was surprised at the unanimous vote to give a green light for a new date. I'm equally surprised by the deafening silence of all the teams in not making any public comment about that judgement.
"But I suspect what's really going on is that all the teams, and maybe the FIA, are waiting for their individual governments to put out an official warning to recommend that it is not safe to travel to Bahrain. That would therefore automatically cancel the commercial insurances that they have to carry for their personnel - and if they're cancelled then there isn't going to be race. But it's a clumsy way of doing it.
"I do not believe, if the problems in Bahrain maintain [at this level] or escalate, that we will see a Bahrain Grand Prix this year."

 

[Fenderman]

It's so nice to have one's suspicions confirmed. Where's that smug smiley combo? Ah, yes, here it is ...

 

[sportsman]

This is a copy of the email I sent to FOTA today. I ask every single member of CTA to do the same.

Dear Sirs.
info@teamsassociation.org
Dear Sirs.

I, as an F1 fan of 50 years am comepletely disgusted with the WMSC decision to reinstate the F1 GP in Bahrain.
This decision is an affront to any decent human being, and effectively amounts to the FIA, FOM and FOTA condoning the actions of a brutal regime.

I therefore entreat you act as any decent humanitarian organisation should and protest in the strongest terms possible including if necessary clearly stating to the relevant authorities that under no circumstances will you or any of your members participate in this shameful travesty of justice.

I am sir.
I added my real name.

 

[Sakari]

This is a copy of the email I sent to FOTA today. I ask every single member of CTA to do the same.

Dear Sirs.
info@teamsassociation.org
Dear Sirs.

I, as an F1 fan of 50 years am comepletely disgusted with the WMSC decision to reinstate the F1 GP in Bahrain.
This decision is an affront to any decent human being, and effectively amounts to the FIA, FOM and FOTA condoning the actions of a brutal regime.

I therefore entreat you act as any decent humanitarian organisation should and protest in the strongest terms possible including if necessary clearly stating to the relevant authorities that under no circumstances will you or any of your members participate in this shameful travesty of justice.

I am sir.
I added my real name.

Well done!

 

[siffert_fan]

Thank God at least Brawn and Webber have had the guts to come out and critcize the decision. If only the other teams would do likewise.

I congratulate you, Sportsman, for writing your letter.

 

[gethinceri]

I have taken the opportunity of sending a similar e-mail to that posted by Sportsman, the Bahraini people have a right to life and freedom of speech. We do not have a right to sporting entertainment at their cost.

 

[Slyboogy]

Disaster written all over it....

 

[Chad Stewarthill]

I have taken the opportunity of sending a similar e-mail to that posted by Sportsman, the Bahraini people have a right to life and freedom of speech. We do not have a right to sporting entertainment at their cost.

Me too

 

[Jen]

Me too

And me!