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At the time these lines were written, only free practice of the controversial Bahrain Grand Prix had taken place. Preparation for the race was still going on.
Tension is always high in the world of political unrests because lives are at stake when people fight for their fundamental rights.
So, is Bahrainis' fight Formula 1's as well?
For a long time, it was deemed normal that the F1 circus travelled yearly to South Africa in the 70s and 80s - right in the middle of the Apartheid era. It was just "normal" to go.
But, of course, the world has changed since then: social medias have revolutionized our way of receiving and perceiving information. The "politically correct" etiquette - the ways to do things - is different nowadays.
Formula 1 teams have voiced some opposition for weeks now. They are uncomfortable going to Bahrain in the middle of a crisis. Not only because of security fears, but also because they feel uneasy showing up with their expensive race cars to a place where locals are fighting for democracy.
But the sport's big boss has applied his usual methods of persuasion on the teams: not attending the Bahrain race would void their contract, thus may be going as far as excluding them from the championship.
On one side, I understand British politicians who are asking for the cancellation of the race and who want to fly all the F1 personnel back home. Going to that area of the globe is asking for trouble. It's an explosion waiting to happen.
But on the other side, it's a terrific opportunity for the protesters over there since more than 200 journalists, photographs, radio and television teams, websites and so on will be turning their eyes on Bahrain. The world is listening and watching.
For that reason, not cancelling the Grand Prix is a good idea.
Which means I think F1 should not position itself in the political spectrum. If you're not convinced, just look at Olympic Games boycott over the years and the results they yielded.
Tension is always high in the world of political unrests because lives are at stake when people fight for their fundamental rights.
So, is Bahrainis' fight Formula 1's as well?
For a long time, it was deemed normal that the F1 circus travelled yearly to South Africa in the 70s and 80s - right in the middle of the Apartheid era. It was just "normal" to go.
 |
| Photo: WRI2 |
But, of course, the world has changed since then: social medias have revolutionized our way of receiving and perceiving information. The "politically correct" etiquette - the ways to do things - is different nowadays.
Formula 1 teams have voiced some opposition for weeks now. They are uncomfortable going to Bahrain in the middle of a crisis. Not only because of security fears, but also because they feel uneasy showing up with their expensive race cars to a place where locals are fighting for democracy.
But the sport's big boss has applied his usual methods of persuasion on the teams: not attending the Bahrain race would void their contract, thus may be going as far as excluding them from the championship.
On one side, I understand British politicians who are asking for the cancellation of the race and who want to fly all the F1 personnel back home. Going to that area of the globe is asking for trouble. It's an explosion waiting to happen.
But on the other side, it's a terrific opportunity for the protesters over there since more than 200 journalists, photographs, radio and television teams, websites and so on will be turning their eyes on Bahrain. The world is listening and watching.
For that reason, not cancelling the Grand Prix is a good idea.
Which means I think F1 should not position itself in the political spectrum. If you're not convinced, just look at Olympic Games boycott over the years and the results they yielded.