Further clarity on Webber’s Bahrain GP stance

“Mark Webber stands alone as voice of reason on Bahrain Grand Prix” reads the headline in The Guardian. If nothing else they have offered greater detail in respect to Webber’s latest comments than we first reported, via the BBC, early this morning.

Accordingly, it turns out the Australian veteran has developed into something of an elder statesman, willing to speak his mind not only on matters inside the paddock, but outside as well.

“F1 should have taken a much firmer stance earlier this year, rather than constantly delaying its decision in hope of being able to reschedule the race,” Webber said. “It would have sent a very clear message about its position on something as fundamental as human rights.”

A healthy dose of perspective also helps remind the we’re-F1-so-we’re-vitally-important industry that, well, it’s not actually that important to everyone else in the world.

“It’s a difficult decision, because it’s only a week away, but ultimately it’s only a car race. A hell of a lot of people in the world have no idea that Bahrain is scheduled to host a grand prix, so we don’t want to overstate its importance,” Webber opined. “Things can be cancelled in a flash, but what’s changed since January to make that decision any easier? There will be added security, but not everybody can have that and it doesn’t make me feel comfortable.”

That’s not to say he’s completely ruling out racing next weekend. “I’ve tried to watch the news to get a balanced view of the Bahrain situation, but I know only as much as anyone else, really,” he said. “I want to race but you can’t ignore what’s going on and we all hope things go smoothly.”

Hear, hear.

Contrast that with the frustratingly suffocated comments from Jenson Button—while remembering Mumtalakat, Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, owns a healthy stake in McLaren—and it’s clear that in F1, as in life, money talks. Or not, in Button’s case.

“I don’t have an opinion. I can’t have one and you know that. I am not speaking as a person, am I? I am sitting here as a McLaren racing driver and trust Bernie and the FIA will make the right call, whatever that is,” exclaimed Button.

[Source: The Guardian | Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images]