Ecclestone says Bahrain GP future is secure
23 April, 2012
Jean Todt and Bernie Ecclestone on the Bahrain grid with Zayed Rashed Al Zayani
Apr.23 (Reuters) The Bahrain Grand Prix has a solid future and all publicity is good, F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone said on Sunday at a race that anti-government protesters had wanted cancelled.
Asked whether the race would stay on the calendar, the 81-year-old Briton told Reuters: “Absolutely. Forever. No problem.”
The race at the Sakhir circuit passed without incident and was won for Red Bull by Germany’s world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Last year’s grand prix was cancelled after a bloody crackdown on an anti-government uprising and Sunday’s iteration drew widespread condemnation from abroad and provoked rage among local opponents.
Asked whether the events of the past week, with the death of a protestor, and television images broadcast worldwide of fiery petrol bombs and teargas, would have any impact on the growth of motorsport in the Middle East, Ecclestone was equally upbeat.
“I think it’s good because people talk about things, you know. You know what they say – there is no such thing as bad publicity,” he said.
“It’s growing all the time, and other places are interested. I think it will grow here for sure,” added Ecclestone, who owns the commercial rights to F1.
Bahrain was the first country in the region to host a grand prix, in 2004, and the Middle East now has two rounds of the 20 race calendar with Abu Dhabi joining in 2009.
Bahrain also owns half of the McLaren Group, the parent of the British-based Formula One team.
Subbed by AJN.
Related posts:
- Tight security as Bahrain GP weekend gets underway with free practice
- Ecclestone: We will be there unless Bahrain ask for a cancellation
- Ecclestone open to new Nurburgring contract
- Texas doubtful but Bahrain looks secure
- Teams trust Ecclestone on Bahrain GP call
@Jody I agree.
@Tom, if you are not from Bahrain but just went specifically for F1 then God bless you. thank you for not being a coward like those Force India guys who balked. surely politics has no place in sport. and surely bourgeosie sport like F1 or golf, tennis should not be treated any differently from inter/national sports like Olympics or football. which brings me to the question that had it been an international football match would it have raised as much protest?
but also Bernie (strong PR machinery) shd concentrate on telling the Bahrainis that the event is good for the xtry, and not the sultans/princes only. and that even if the opposition took over they would still want it to take place; instead of concentrating on marketing F1 riding on the publicity created.
I agree with you Jody .. the politics should not mix with F1 or any sports .. I was at BIC full weekend and It was amazing event me and my friends had good nights :p .. and definitely we well back next year and forever .. Thanks a lot to every person in BIC .. you made Bahraini People unif1ed , happy and peace .. yes we’re One Nation In Celebration
“we did’t .. TOGETHER”
@Jody
I think money coming from that region will handsomely reward teams, even if sponsors will not support the race and will be covered (as tobacco companies in some countries) for that race.
I for one do believe politics has no place in any sport and I’m glad F1 will continue in Bahrain.I doubt though that Mr B’s comment “forever” is true..he knows nothing is forever.
The other thing is, if it’s true, sponsors are itchy about the event.Will the race be run without their backing?