Jean Todt has broken his long and conspicuous silence over the Bahrain controversy. Until now, the ultra-low-profile FIA president had been reluctant to speak on the issue, despite deciding that the sport should push ahead with this weekend's race in the troubled island Kingdom. So unremarkable was Frenchman Todt's visit to Shanghai last weekend that most reporters believed he in fact left China on Saturday. He then appeared on Sunday's grid, giving reluctantly short soundbites and congratulating his former Ferrari colleague Ross Brawn on Nico Rosberg's win.
Todt even finally commented on Bahrain. Asked why the event is going ahead despite the ongoing controversy, he told German RTL television: "It has a date on the calendar and was always planned. There has been some controversy about it, but the FIA is a sports organisation. We are only interested in sport -- not politics. Our responsibility is that people can go there and have good and secure conditions. This will be the case," Todt insisted. "We have spoken in this regard with representatives of the government, with the embassies and with neighbouring countries, as well as with European foreign ministries.
"We have made an extension examination with a lot of checks. It is clear that the grand prix can go ahead. At the moment, a major golf tournament is going ahead in Bahrain. On one hand, there are unpleasant political aspects as well, but it's the same thing all over the world. On the other hand, we are a sport. We are confident that the next grand prix will go ahead just as successfully as this one here in China," he added. (GMM)
FIA president Todt comments on green light for Bahrain GP
- Published on 16 Apr 2012 16:45
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Why Bernie Ecclestone thinks Formula 1 is heading the wrong wayBernie Ecclestone has launched a broadside against Formula 1's current trajectory, arguing that the sport has los...
29 Jun 2026 16:21 -
What Verstappen really thinks about Antonelli's championship leadMax Verstappen has described Andrea Kimi Antonelli's championship-leading rookie season at Mercedes as "some...
29 Jun 2026 15:19 -
Is Webber already planning Piastri's Red Bull escape route?Oscar Piastri's manager Mark Webber is preparing contingency plans for the Australian driver to leave McLaren, ac...
29 Jun 2026 14:17 -
Red Bull intensifies talks with Verstappen's manager as exit loomsRed Bull Racing held another round of talks with Max Verstappen's manager Raymond Vermeulen on Saturday, seeking ...
29 Jun 2026 13:16 -
What Zak Brown really said about signing Max VerstappenZak Brown has addressed speculation linking Max Verstappen to McLaren for the first time, stating that while he has n...
29 Jun 2026 12:14
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
Driver profile
- Team -
- Points -
- Podiums -
- Grand Prix -
- Country DE
- Date of b. Jun 27 1985 (41)
- Place of b. Wiesbaden, DE
- Weight 71 kg
- Length 1.78 m
4 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Nico Rosberg
Team profile
- Team name Ferrari
- Base Maranello, Italy
- Kimi Räikkönen 1
- Michael Schumacher 1
- Michael Schumacher 1
- Felipe Massa 2
- Fernando Alonso 3
- Felipe Massa 3
- Michael Schumacher 3
- Felipe Massa 4
- Kimi Räikkönen 4
- Sebastian Vettel 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Felipe Massa 5
- Michael Schumacher 5
- Michael Schumacher 5
- Felipe Massa 6
- Felipe Massa 6
- Kimi Räikkönen 6
- Felipe Massa 6
- Kimi Räikkönen 7
- Felipe Massa 7
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Fernando Alonso 14
- Charles Leclerc 16
- Gerhard Berger 28
- Gerhard Berger 28
- Lewis Hamilton 44
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 509,664 comments on Ferrari
- 283 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Ferrari
Replies (0)
Login to reply