Future of Bahrain Grand Prix remains uncertain

“A lot of people would slag us off if we went for supporting a regime that kills its own people,” is how one anonymous senior F1 figure bluntly assessed the current situation in Bahrain to staff reporters at Reuters.

This follows an official travel warning issued by the UK Foreign Office. The statement reads, “Following violence over recent days, and most recently on the evening of 18 February, we advise British nationals to avoid all but essential travel to Bahrain.”

Adding further detail the statement explains, “There is a general threat from terrorism in Bahrain. Terrorists continue to issue statements threatening to carry out attacks in the Gulf region. These include references to attacks on western interests, including residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests.”

Speaking to Autosport, Lotus Renault GP team principal, Eric Boullier, said, “As a team principal, my only concern is the safety of my people.

“Now I am concerned that if the FIA or FOM say we’ll go and race there, I’ll need some guarantees that obviously the security is guaranteed for my people.”

The final pre-season test window is scheduled for Bahrain on 3–6 March, ahead of the opening Grand Prix on 13 March. It appears unlikely that the test session will go ahead, although an official decision has not been made.

An alternative pre-season test could see the teams return to Barcelona. However, Pirelli executives are concerned this might leave them exposed as they already have tyres and equipment en route to Bahrain.