Commentary
Formula 1
Ecclestone not worried about Bahrain unrest
"Everything's very normal in Bahrain" - Ecclestone
GMM
Edited: Apr 5, 2013, 1:49 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Apr.5 (GMM) Bernie Ecclestone has played down reports civil unrest could yet again affect the running of Bahrain's Grand Prix.
Ever since the revolutionary Arab Spring of early 2011, Formula One's annual visit to the island Kingdom has been under a dark cloud of controversy and uncertainty.
A report in the Daily Mail this week said there could be problems yet again, with fresh graffiti on a wall west of the capital Manama depicting an F1 car with the words 'No for the bloody formula'.
Bahrain and F1 Flags
Photo by: XPB Images
F1 chief executive Ecclestone, however, said he is not concerned.
"I haven't had any negative reports from anybody there," he told Reuters, ahead of his sport's forthcoming double-header in China and then Bahrain.
"Somebody who actually lives there came to see me yesterday and said everything's very normal.
"I think (the opposing sides) are talking now anyway, so I don't think they'll upset the talks by making protests," the 82-year-old added.
"It didn't help them last year, so if they had any brains they'd just get on with their talks."
Ecclestone also suggested that the long-term future of the controversial race is secure.
"They do a very, very good job of the race, the whole support from the top is good. No problems," he said.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Pirelli seeks 'balance' between sport and show - Brundle
Next article McLaren renew hopes for a better performance in China
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Bernie Ecclestone
Ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone reportedly arrested for travelling with shotgun in Portugal
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Ex-F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone reportedly arrested for travelling with shotgun in Portugal
Bernie Ecclestone sends major F1 warning ahead of 2026: 'Danger is we lose the fans'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Bahrain Pre-Season 2
Bernie Ecclestone sends major F1 warning ahead of 2026: 'Danger is we lose the fans'
Bernie Ecclestone slams "over-confident" Lando Norris as he backs Max Verstappen for 2025 title
Formula 1
Formula 1
Abu Dhabi GP
Bernie Ecclestone slams "over-confident" Lando Norris as he backs Max Verstappen for 2025 title
Latest news
FIA reveals latest ADUO results in final review of 2026 F1 season
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 35 min
FIA reveals latest ADUO results in final review of 2026 F1 season
Toyota “sad” WEC drivers' title was effectively decided before Monza finale
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
48 min
Toyota “sad” WEC drivers' title was effectively decided before Monza finale
Honda struggling to explain Lance Stroll’s 13th DNF of the season
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
Honda struggling to explain Lance Stroll’s 13th DNF of the season
Massimo Rivola: 'Aprilia didn’t lose the championship, Marc Marquez won it'
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
2 h
Massimo Rivola: 'Aprilia didn’t lose the championship, Marc Marquez won it'
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe