GreenBkk.com Formula 1 | Ecclestone concerned about recent unrest in Bahrain

Ecclestone concerned about recent unrest in Bahrain

Bahrain will host the first race of the season on March 13 © Sutton Images

Bernie Ecclestone is concerned the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix could be used by the country's anti-government protestors to gain publicity for their cause.

Protests on the island state have ramped up in recent days with reports of two deaths after conflicts with security forces. The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights, a campaign group in support of reform, has warned that the grand prix on March 13 could become a target.

"For sure F1 is not going to be peaceful this time," said Nabeel Rajab, vice president of Bahrain Center for Human Rights told Arabian Business. "There'll be lots of journalists, a lot of people looking and [the government] will react in a stupid manner as they did today and yesterday. And that will be bloody but will be more publicised.

He added: "This will not stop, especially now when people [have] died. I don't think it's going to stop easily."

Ecclestone said the news of unrest in Bahrain is a concern, but told the Daily Telegraph he had not yet got in touch with Crown Prince Salman ibn Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa to discuss the issue.

"He is a bit busy, as you can imagine, so I don't know yet exactly what is going on," Ecclestone said. "The danger is obvious isn't it? If these people wanted to make a fuss and get worldwide recognition it would be bloody easy, wouldn't it? You start making a problem on the start grid in Bahrain and it would get worldwide coverage."

When asked if the race might have to be called off, Ecclestone said: "I have no idea. It's hard to establish exactly what is going in. As I say, I'm speaking with the Crown Prince later on. We're watching events closely. We'll rely on what they think the right thing to do is."

Bahrain has witnessed sporadic unrest in the recent past, with sections of the mainly Shiite population taking issue with the ruling Sunni Al Khalifa family. Political reforms have taken place in the last decade and officials deny there is any discrimination.

Credit: ESPN F1 (espn.com)