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'. 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. (GMM)
Ecclestone not worried about new civil unrest in Bahrain
- Published on 05 Apr 2013 16:24
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- By: Rob Veenstra
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L. Hamilton
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C. Leclerc
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A. Antonelli
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G. Russell
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
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Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
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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
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
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