Civil Unrest In Bahrain

The F1 circuit has one on Bahrain ahead of next month's grand prix. Following civil unrest in Tunisia and Egypt Bahrain has become the latest country to demand reform in the middle east. Thousands of protesters marched to the capital Manama demanding that the president Sheik Khalifa bin Salman Al-Khalifa who has ruled the country since it's independence in 1971 step down.

The Bahrain International Circuit said

"The safety of all Bahraini nationals, expats and overseas visitors is a priority at all times," 
"We are monitoring the situation very closely indeed in association with the relevant authorities and will respond appropriately to any further developments."


Formula One CEO Bernie Ecclestone said 

"We'll rely on what they think the right thing to do is," he said when

"The danger is obvious, isn't it?"  "If these people wanted to make a fuss and get worldwide recognition it would be easy, wouldn't it? "You start making a problem on the start grid in Bahrain and it would get worldwide coverage.

"I have never had any problems in Bahrain in the past and I'm happy to walk around town there," added Ecclestone. "But we don't know now. The world is changing."

Bernie Ecclestone
CEO, Formula 1

The first grand prix of the season is due to start in Bahrain on the 13 of March and there is also a testing session there the week before the race.