F1 Bernie Ecclestone says teams are a go in Bahrain
F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has insisted that “all the teams” are happy to race in Bahrain following the FIA’s announcement that next week’s scheduled Grand Prix will go ahead.
Following a hastily-conceived meeting with the F1 Team Principals in the wake of the governing body’s early-morning declarationthat the Bahrain race would be held as planned, Ecclestone told Sky Sports News that the decision had been met with the full agreement of the teams.
Asked by SSN’s outstanding and intrepid reporter Rachel Brookes if any of the team bosses had expressed any concerns about racing in Bahrain, Bernie replied: “No, not at all. Quite the opposite. This race is on the calendar and been on the calendar for quite a long time. We will be there. All the teams are happy to be there.”
Yet the decision is bound to spark further debate about the rights and wrongs of the sport travelling to the troubled kingdom state, with Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle observing, “It’s a hugely complex and difficult situation for F1. At least we have clarity now. The FIA have made clear that they have monitored this issue and that they are satisfied it is safe and right to go there.”
The FIA statement in full:
“The 2012 calendar, as presented by the CRH (Commercial Rights Holder), was ratified by the World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) in September 2011. Since then no request from the F1 Commission or the CRH has been made to the WMSC to either postpone or cancel the Bahrain Grand Prix.
“Based on the current information the FIA has at this stage, it is satisfied that all the proper security measures are in place for the running of a Formula One World Championship event in Bahrain.
“Therefore, the FIA confirms that the 2012 Gulf Air F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain will go ahead as scheduled.”
