Ecclestone backs Bahrain GP
02/15/2012 09:03:25 PM
Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone says there are no concerns about the staging of a Grand Prix in Bahrain this year.
On Tuesday, exactly a year after social unrest led to the cancellation of the 2011 race in the Arab state, police fired tear gas at protests in the country's capital, Manama.
But Ecclestone dismissed reports that the latest events had unsettled any of the Formula One teams and he is confident this year's race will go ahead.
"We are planning to go," Ecclestone said."I've always said that if there was going to be any drama it would be on the Day of Rage (one-year anniversary)."
"They would have to do something then. People there seem confident that a race two months away will be alright."
"The teams are not the slightest bit concerned. They seem happy that things will go ahead without problems. Last year was a more clear-cut decision not to go but things have changed a lot since then."
Ecclestone was urged to cancel the race as recently as last week by British politicians, but the Englishman said safety concerns would be the only reason for another postponement.
"We've always been non-political. Any decision will be made on grounds of safety," he said.
The 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for April 22.