Bahrain political instability

[phil1993]

The 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix has been officially cancelled.

The event will return as the opener to the 2012 season

[François]

Well, had we been set for a repeat of Bahrain 2010, they might as well have called it off. Most underwhelming race I've ever watched. However, with the massive regulation changes and the unknown variables such as the Pirelli tyres, you never know, we might be in for a desert thriller... so I hope whatever troubles the country's going through gets sorted out quickly. Bahrain isn't Egypt or Tunisia, though, I find it quite unlikely that any form of massive unrest would occur.

[Ferrariman60]

Well, had we been set for a repeat of Bahrain 2010, they might as well have called it off. Most underwhelming race I've ever watched. However, with the massive regulation changes and the unknown variables such as the Pirelli tyres, you never know, we might be in for a desert thriller... so I hope whatever troubles the country's going through gets sorted out quickly. Bahrain isn't Egypt or Tunisia, though, I find it quite unlikely that any form of massive unrest would occur.

Bahrain has lots of money, a stable government which seems to be congruent with the wants of the people, and surely the country enjoys the exposure that F1 allows. The GP will b safe.

[KevC]

Bahrain should also be a bit better this year because they're bypassing the mickey mouse twiddly bit they added last year to go back to the original layout.

Beats me though how you can have all that open space and a blank piece of paper to do an amazing layout and you draw a dullfest.

[François]

Well, I've just watched the inaugural Bahrain GP (2004) and it was actually quite a good race, featuring lots of action and overtaking, with everyone going on and on about how fantastic the track was. I think the cars and regulations are the problem, with even perfectly decent layouts producing dull racing at times. 2011 might be a change in the right direction in that respect, but I don't forsee a giant leap forwards.

[cformula1]

Personally I'm concerned over the Bahrain situation, and if protests remain at their current level, then the race will most likely go ahead, but if they escalate like Egypt and Tunisia then I'm pretty sure that it'd be cancelled.

Personally I hope that things are resolved quickly in a relatively peaceful manner, but I get the feeling that they won't.

[Ali]

The situation in Bahrain became more critical overnight as security forces using tanks and other military vehicles moved on the camp site set up by protesters.

The BBC reports this morning: “Hundreds of riot police using tear gas and batons moved into the square before dawn on Thursday. At least two people died in the police operation, according to the opposition, while 100 sustained injuries.”

The BBC’s Ian Pannell added that “the brutal response of the authorities makes it clear that the ruling family saw this as a threat to its grip on power.”

http://adamcooperf1.com/2011/02/17/bahr ... ia-to-act/

[Denorth]

more I read, more I think there will be no Bahrain GP this year

[Mar]

It really doesn't look well at the moment.

[phil1993]

I'd say the only option is to cancel the test, but hold out for the race. Its so important that they can't afford to cancel it this early incase everything dies down. They have to send the stuff out for the test by 28th Feb, but if the test is cancelled, that date would be about March 5th.

[iceman1]

My friend just told me that, communication and internet was closed, or it was very hard to have a connection, he was trying to call Lebanon the whole day till an hour ago he was able to talk few minutes then connection was disconnected.

[phil1993]

Consensus is that Bahrain GP will be postponed. If its like this still on Wednesday, race postponed.

[mikhailv]

I hope it goes forward and the grand prix happens. Call me selfish, but I dont give a s*** about the politcal situation out there.

[Ali]

I hope it goes forward and the grand prix happens. Call me selfish, but I dont give a s*** about the politcal situation out there.

No, not at all. I'd call you an a***le.

[F1Fan88]

I really liked the perspective Joe Saward gives to this in his blog, comparing it to the situation in 1848 Europe. This would seem to give hope for the people living there to make it stick, at least in time.