TBK-Light.com

If F1 is afraid from random acts of terrorism, that is a permanent threat in that part of the world (and elsewhere to be honest).
I don't see political protesters targeting F1 on purpose, and certainly not with heavy weapons??

In any case, this is another F1 race on my TV, and I just hope on-track action will be enjoyable. They race in all sorts of countries with all sorts of human rights related problems.
It's wrong, ugly, cynical and greedy to race there, but that's how the corporate world is, and that's the world F1 tends to picture and advertise nowadays unfortunately. So as long as we get nice racing action I'll do with it.

Somewhat confirmed on autosport: http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/98982
It's an option but they will run qualifying and the race.

So either they expect major incidents today after the friday prayers or just trying to make a lame statement.
If you don't want to travel after dark don't run on Saturday and Sunday as well. Or be completely be honest and say you expect big trouble today.

Well...



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17781138

_________________
Dan Wheldon ¦ 1978-2011
Marco Simoncelli ¦ 1987-2011
Jules Bianchi ¦ 1989-2015
Justin Wilson ¦ 1978-2015

Yeah, I know he's mad and I don't care. I do not care. I did not care then. I do not care now. I'm here to race him.

This is going to get ugly.

"We have full assurances regarding safety" has been the standard line this week, yet an F1 team is going to cut short FP2 running. Quali & race finishes way later...

_________________
Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

remember about the force india situation: they will not have to travel 'back' in the dark after the grand prix because the airport is right nearby and they will have been checked out early in the morning.

_________________
Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

'will enrage Bernie and the FIA'

Really? The only session that any team is duty-bound to take part in is the race. Every other session is a practice session, including qualifying. Why would you get upset over a practice session?

_________________
Dan Wheldon ¦ 1978-2011
Marco Simoncelli ¦ 1987-2011
Jules Bianchi ¦ 1989-2015
Justin Wilson ¦ 1978-2015

Yeah, I know he's mad and I don't care. I do not care. I did not care then. I do not care now. I'm here to race him.

Because it clearly shows a team does not trust the FIA and BIC.

What I don't understand is why they're doing it today. Qualifying finishes at the same time tomorrow, while the race is later. There's also demonstrations planned outside of the circuit this afternoon.

I wonder if we'll get a domino effect now.

_________________
Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

I for one admire them for putting their staff ahead of Bernie and the Bahrain Royal Family's image concerns. Plus, as said before, after the race they can head straight for the airport, whereas after FP2 tonight they will need to go across town towards the hotel.

Meanwhile...

I didn't know selective blindness was a consequence of inbreeding.

_________________
Dan Wheldon ¦ 1978-2011
Marco Simoncelli ¦ 1987-2011
Jules Bianchi ¦ 1989-2015
Justin Wilson ¦ 1978-2015

Yeah, I know he's mad and I don't care. I do not care. I did not care then. I do not care now. I'm here to race him.

I expect Martin Brundle to come under massive criticism for that quote.

Most intelligent post of the day. Kudos!

_________________
"Every day on Memorial weekend, comes the chance to cross these bricks, and live forever. No votes, no politics, no thanks to the Academy. Nothing. Just driver, machine, and pursuit of immortality"

Martin has to tow the Sky line. They can't go round saying F1 shouldn't be at BIC. Even though you damn well know it's the truth. F1 is operating in a bubble where everyone knows the reality, but is too afraid to say it through fear of punishment from Bernie, FIA, FOM, sponsors.

_________________
Dan Wheldon | 1978 - 2011

Brundle also said Bahrain is looking very dynamic & he's seen no signs of any trouble.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/17785335

Confirmed...

_________________
"Every day on Memorial weekend, comes the chance to cross these bricks, and live forever. No votes, no politics, no thanks to the Academy. Nothing. Just driver, machine, and pursuit of immortality"

He, however, forgot to mention that they must go back to the hotel tomorrow as well after qualifying. Or are they planning on exiting qualifying after the first round?

Missing qualifying means they can't race and will get massive penalties. Missing FP2 doesn't. Also, Parc Ferme rules mean crew leave much earlier on Saturday than on Friday.

Plus, this isn't just about Force India feeling unsafe and wanting to go early. It's one of the team's having the balls to make a stand to the FIA and say 'if you put us in these positions, you're going to have to accept that things like this will happen'. It's a broader picture that basically says to Bernie and Mr. Todt that they can't just drop thousands of people into what is effectively a civil war situation and expect them to tow the line, be it this weekend at Bahrain or in the future.

Very brave, will no doubt get them into trouble but I fully believe that every single person in the paddock this weekend secretly feels that what they're doing is a very brave and very correct thing.

For me, this is no different from the US GP in 2005. The issue was SAFETY then, and it's the same now.

Just because it's not tyres on the banking doesn't mean it's less important...

_________________
"Every day on Memorial weekend, comes the chance to cross these bricks, and live forever. No votes, no politics, no thanks to the Academy. Nothing. Just driver, machine, and pursuit of immortality"