F1 will continue to go to Bahrain according to Ecclestone
The political situation in Bahrain does not seem to compromise the long-term contract between the Kingdom and Formula 1. At least, that's what Bernie Ecclestone states.
The unity between Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt regarding the legitimacy of hosting a Grand Prix in Bahrain was confirmed this weekend. For both figures, Formula 1 does not take into account the civil or political issues of the places it visits.
But in the midst of all this Bahraini saga, Ecclestone had suggested that extending the contract between the Kingdom and the FOM might be difficult to negotiate. It should be noted that the current contract binds the two parties for another three years.
But when asked if Formula 1 will continue to go to Bahrain in the long term, the Briton responds affirmatively: « Absolutely. Always. There is no problem. »
Like Jean Todt, he believes that the reputation of the discipline has not suffered from the decision to race the Grand Prix this weekend: « I think it’s a good thing. You know, everyone is talking about it. It hasn’t been bad publicity. »
But not everyone shares Ecclestone’s opinion. For example, Swiss journalist from the Bilk daily, Roger Benoit, believes that Formula 1 has lost in terms of image and he is dismayed by how politics interfered in the sport this weekend: « We are heading to countries that are politically volatile, where human rights are violated and where poverty prevails. But we struggle to talk about it as in China, India, Korea, Malaysia, Brazil… and in 2014 we will go to Russia. A few years ago, our circus happily danced around apartheid in South Africa and the military dictatorship in Argentina. Formula 1 is pure entertainment. Isolated from the world’s problems. But here in Bahrain, every journalist stepped onto the political field, whether they wanted to or not »
Bernie Ecclestone nevertheless defends his position: « Fundamentally, the present issues in Bahrain have nothing to do with Formula 1. The competent bodies have given the green light as far as safety is concerned, and I think it’s clear they were not wrong. »
For the FOM boss, Formula 1 has not been politically co-opted, and he sees no problem with this situation: « Governments want to have an F1 race for the same reason they want the Olympic Games. We reach agreements with promoters, and if it’s good for the country, all the better », he said.
