Teams speak out over Bahrain race
The Bahrain Grand Prix could find itself back in limbo as the Formula One Teams' Association has finally voiced its concern.
FOTA, an umbrella organisation that represents 11 of the 12 teams with the exception of Hispania Racing, also has firm legal ground on which to stand. That is despite the apparent unanimous decision taken by the 26-man World Motor Sport Council in Barcelona on Friday to reinstate the race on this year's calendar.
A FOTA spokesperson said: "The teams have discussed the 2011 calendar within FOTA. They have expressed their views privately in a letter to the FIA, FOM (Formula One Management) and the Bahrain International Circuit."
The season-opener, that had been scheduled for March 13 in the Gulf kingdom, was postponed in February due to political unrest that led to the deaths of more than 30 protesters. Despite lobbying from human rights organisations that the country should remain a no-go area, the WMSC instead acted on the advice of one of the FIA vice-presidents, Carlos Gracia.
Gracia claimed Bahrain was now safe, resulting in the race taking on the October 30 date originally reserved for the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, with that race moved to early December. However, the teams have made it clear India should return to its original date, with Bahrain given a provisional date of December, dependent on whether the situation improves.
At present, FOTA has refused to release specific details of their letter, but the changes mentioned are at the top of the agenda. Safety concerns are high, especially as martial law was lifted on June 1, since when protesters who attempted to take to the streets were repelled with tear gas, rubber bullets and sound bombs by Bahraini police.
Outlining the ongoing situation in Bahrain, Joe Stork, the deputy director of the Middle East for the Human Rights Watch said the lifting of martial law had had no effect.
"The special military courts are still in operation, with the trial beginning on Monday of 47 doctors and nurses who allege they were tortured in order to illicit confessions relating to various crimes and misdemeanours," said Stork.
"So all the problems we raised in our letter to the Federation and FOTA teams are very much alive, I'm afraid to say. But we've raised the issue, as have other human rights groups, and I'm heartened by the fact some of the team leaders and drivers have raised these concerns.
"So although we were disappointed by the initial decision, it seems as if the story is not over yet. Let's hope that's the case."
