I still don't understand all the references to Spa. Keeping Bahrain or not has nothing to do with Spa. Spa is in financial trouble and not because the calendar is full. There are plenty of other races (Valencia, Turkey, Austin) to make room for Spa if they bring the money to the table.
And on the flip side of all of this it produces one of the dullest races of the season. Few sheikhs and a pygmy vs the world on this one.
There's enough gold on their side of the scales to tip it in their balance. In the end that's all that it's about. Personally I'm surprised that Bernie still has a soul to sell.
Damon Hill says that Formula One should reconsider holding the Bahrain Grand Prix. The 1996 World Champion says that he has serious doubts about the wisdom of holding a grand prix in a country where tensions are high. Hill had previously voiced support for an event, after a visit to Bahrain last autumn with FIA president Jean Todt. Things are different now, Hill told The Guardian. The protests have not abated and may even have become more determined and calculated. It is a worrying state of affairs. What we must put above all else is what will be the penalty in terms of human cost if the race goes ahead. It would be a bad state of affairs, and bad for Formula One, to be seen to be enforcing martial law in order to hold the race. That is not what this sport should be about. Looking at it today youd have to say that could be creating more problems than its solving
Thanks. I suspect these efforts will be to no avail but it's nice to know that there are sensible (perhaps even moral) voices left in F1.
Yes, we shall have to see, I like the words in your other thread Seasons status, you posted about it as well. Indeed, it is more or less echoing your sentiments about it in this thread.
IIRC at this point (2 weeks to go) the Bahrain GP was already cancelled last year. This year I don't hear much about Bahrain in the world news as well as in the F1 news. If I had to bet I'd say the GP is going to happen.
I hope the race goes through, Bahrain has always been kind to Ferrari. Maybe they can eke out another good result there.
Tifosi. Really...? That's all you care about? Sad. This race will be a direct affront to decency and justice. Bernie has no ability to reflect on right or wrong anymore. This sport has always represented the best in man and machine. It should not be debased by participating in such a travesty. I have been to Bahrain many times. The rulers need to properly address the grievances of their people. F1 should not have any part in legitimizing the current regime. We don't need this race, and I for one will not watch it if it takes place.
Actually for our guys it would be better to skip Bahrein to gain some time to fix the car. Of course, the guys at Bahrain probably don´t care about that.
That is highly debatable. I love F1 like nobody else but this sport has been marred by countless scandals over the years. Lets not put it too high on a moral pedestal. Or not at all. F1 is many things but it is not a moral compass by any means. Would a race in Bahrain be poor form? Absolutely. Would that be any different than any other scandal? Not at all. I'm no fan of the Bahrain race, the track sucks, Ferrari will suck there and the regime in charge is a disgrace. But lets not forget what F1 in the end is all about. $$$ and that normally rules.
I agree in general but I think that there is no moral equivalency between the tawdry F1 scandals of the past and what's at stake for the people of Baharain. I think that Bernie and Co. may be walking into a bit of a trap. Last time around the opposition showed their hand early and while they did score a PR victory by having the race canceled, this time I suspect that they may be lying low until the world's press descends on Baharain.
There is a HIGH probability of violent action against the race and it's participants and spectators. Do any of you think it moral and justified to allow the teams to force their staff into a possibly dangerous situation for the sake of a 'race'...? Sometimes it's important to remember that there is more at stake than a few jollies on a Sunday afternoon. This situation is ominous, and Bernie is derelict in his duty to the members of his sport in continuing to insist the race proceed.
Loosen up, it was a joke. BTW: When I went to the GP at Interlagos they had armed guards surrounding the circuit. It felt more like entering a military garrison than a festival of speed. Every year spectators, team members and drivers are being mugged and assaulted. That's not because of Brazilian temper, but because the Interlagos circuit lies square in the middle of the worst slums. Poverty disparity at its worst.
....uh, my reply was meant as a light hearted response. I got the joke...... You need to loosen up...
