The chairman of the Bahrain circuit attempts to relay fears as violence continues in the country.
Zayad Al Zayani, the chairman of the race circuit in Bahrain, insists that the Formula 1 Grand Prix this weekend will be “absolutely” safe to go ahead.
Civil unrest in the country has affected the race being held in Bahrain for the last two years, with the event canceled in 2011 and only just going ahead last season – after the FIA and F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone were assured it would be safe.
Now the same concerns have arisen again but Al Zayani remains confident that the protests won’t affect the Grand Prix.
“Is it safe? Absolutely. They have always been safe here and I think this year won’t be any different,” the circuit boss told the BBC.
“We conducted a survey and it turned out 77% of the people wanted the race in Bahrain and 90% believed it contributed positively to the economy.”
However, despite the chairman’s positive outlook there has been a large amount of concern voiced, including a letter signed by 20 British MPs sent to Ecclestone advising him not to go ahead with the race.
Some have argued though that in a country of constant violence and unrest, having the F1 is a way to take people away from the problems Bahrain is suffering.
Yet the anti-F1 posters, slogans and large groups of protesters who promise to do all they can to disrupt the race, hosting a Grand Prix in the Gulf state may still prove to be too much to take on and an unnecessary risk.
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