Bahrain: Webber doesn’t understand, the FOTA will meet
Four months after initially taking a stand on the issue of a Grand Prix in Bahrain while the people were fighting for their freedom, Mark Webber maintains his stance and reacts strongly to the FIA's decision to organize this race in 2011.
Webber: « The right decision was not made »
« My personal opinion is that the discipline should have taken a much firmer stance earlier this year, instead of constantly delaying its decision hoping to reschedule the race in 2011. A very clear message would then have been conveyed regarding F1’s position on such a fundamental issue as human rights, as well as how it handles moral questions ».
Here is the first reaction from Mark Webber, who does not understand why his discipline wants to position itself as a catalyst for such things. These statements, which are the very first from a driver following the FIA’s decision to reintegrate the Bahrain race into the 2011 Formula 1 calendar, echo what the Australian driver had already said in February, when the “Arab Spring” was affecting the Gulf State.
« The right decision has not been made. Whether we like it or not, F1 and sports in general are not above responsibilities and social consciousness. I hope F1 can eventually return to Bahrain, but now is not the right time » adds Webber on his website. « As a competitor, I don’t feel comfortable participating in an event when it seems inevitable that it will cause even more tensions for the people of this country ».
A communication from FOTA is expected in Montreal.
Although no team has yet taken a stand on the decision made by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, the British newspaper Times reveals that the teams strongly insisted to Bernie Ecclestone, president of Formula One Management, that they did not wish to go to Bahrain, primarily for moral reasons.
The FOTA, an association that brings together F1 teams, will hold a meeting in Montreal to discuss the situation and issue a detailed proposal regarding the return of the GP to the schedule. This joint statement should undoubtedly be oriented against this decision.
Moreover, even if their position is not known, the sponsors of Formula 1 and the teams might view this event unfavorably and might want to dissociate themselves by not participating in it.
The case is therefore far from being resolved, especially since, on an international and diplomatic level, a number of states are advising their citizens against traveling to Bahrain.
