Last June I wrote a post regarding the reinstatement of the Bahrain GP to the F1 calendar. It ended with the line, “Shame on you, Bernie. Shame on you.” and that sentiment still holds true.
As the event approaches the controversy has grown expotentially with those who have been against it from the start (such as the great F1 journalist, Joe Saward) being joined by British MP’s and those that were initially in favor of the event going on, like Damon Hill.
Bernie Ecclestone has kept to his “everything is going to be fine” mantra while protests and violence continue. The latest to weigh in is Jackie Stewart, whos statement that “other sporting events take place in countries where there is more unrest and torture”, I find a mind-boggling line of logic. He comes off as the old man at the London club reminiscing to his lunchmates about “the old days in The Raj” and complaining about tthe working class’s lack of a “stiff upper lip”. Incredible.
The teams state that they are contracted to appear if the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) says to go, so the matter sits at the feet of the one person no one has heard from, FIA President, Jean Todt – a man not normally known for keeping his mouth closed.
It’s time to step up and grow a pair, Jean. Show everyone you aren’t scared of Uncle Bernie and do the right thing – and do it now. Like it or not, the Grand Prix is being used by the Bahraini government as a political tool (marketing it with the slogan “unif1y” is not exactly subtle) and with Bahraini activist Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja possibly dying as a result of his hunger strike during the run-up to the event, the chances of something tragic happening grow daily.
I sincerely hope it doesn’t have the opportunity to happen.
– MCZF1