Bahrain goes ahead - Ecclestone

by Setanta Staff , 15 February 2012

Bernie Ecclestone has said that recent violence should not force the cancellation of this year's Bahrain Grand Prix.


Protesters took to the streets on Tuesday to mark the anniversary of the 'Day of Rage' last year, which led to the postponement and ultimate cancellation of the 2011 race.

Police were forced to use rubber bullets, stun grenades and tear gas to prevent demonstrators, armed with petrol bombs, from reclaiming Pearl Roundabout while a number of arrests were made.

The clashes have led to pleas from the Bahrain Centre for Human Rights to call off this year's race, set for April 20-22.

However, F1 supremo Ecclestone has revealed that as things stand, the Bahrain Grand Prix will still go ahead - unless the government tells him that it would be a bad idea.

"I expected there was going to be a big uprising today, with the anniversary. But I think what happened, apparently, was that here were a lot of kids having a go at the police. I don't think it's anything serious at all," Ecclestone told the Guardian.

"It doesn't change our position in any shape or form. If the people in Bahrain [the government] say, 'Look Bernie, it wouldn't be good for you to come over here,' then I would think again. That is what they said last year."

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