The Official Bahrain GP Thread***SPOILERS***
Discussion
Part of me wants the race disrupted then unable to restart (no one hurt or anything like that) just enough to make Ecclestone look the fool he is. If he's there of course and not watching his new women running in the London marathon as he's promised her, gives him a good excuse to not be about in Bahrain though when the trouble starts.
FourWheelDrift said:
Life Saab Itch said:
I thought it was just money put up to start McLaren Automotive?
I don't think any money has gone to McLaren Racing.
http://www.crash.net/f1/news/57608/1/bahrain_royal...I don't think any money has gone to McLaren Racing.
McLaren have since bought back Daimler (Mercedes) 40% share. Current shares are - Mumtalakat Holding Company currently holding 50%, and Ron Dennis and the TAG Group holding 25% each
y2blade said:
Rich_W said:
My only concern is if some protesters get on the track. Like that idiot did at Silverstone a few years back (who also f
ked up the Olympic marathon as well. The !)
If a McLaren hit and inevitably killed a protestor on the track (and the driver!) that would be a disaster.
Time will tell.
On a slightly different note.
Qaulifying is on Saturday afternoon at 17:20 to 18:40
Race is on Sunday afternoon at 17:00 to 18:20
1) What chance do I have of avoiding the result that long!
2) Why is the Qualy show the same length as the race!
are you sure about the broadcast times?ked up the Olympic marathon as well. The !)If a McLaren hit and inevitably killed a protestor on the track (and the driver!) that would be a disaster.
Time will tell.
On a slightly different note.
Qaulifying is on Saturday afternoon at 17:20 to 18:40
Race is on Sunday afternoon at 17:00 to 18:20
1) What chance do I have of avoiding the result that long!
2) Why is the Qualy show the same length as the race!
Edited by Rich_W on Sunday 15th April 17:28
I've got them showing as lunchtime Sat and Sunday!
Fri 20 April 2012
Practice 1 10:00 - 11:30
Practice 2 14:00 - 15:30
Sat 21 April 2012
Practice 3 11:00 - 12:00
Qualifying 14:00
Sun 22 April 2012
Race 15:00
and UK Times
Fri 20 April 2012
Practice 1 08:00 - 09:30
Practice 2 12:00 - 13:30
Sat 21 April 2012
Practice 3 09:00 - 10:00
Qualifying 12:00
Sun 22 April 2012
Race 13:00
Eric Mc said:
And TAG is owned by the Saudi Royal Family. So McLaren is essentially an Islamic/Arabic team. I wonder what dear old Bruce would think?
He'd probably be grateful as if it had been a british run company, they'd probably be bankrupt by now, just like the rest of the motor industry in the UK.sleep envy said:
Rich_W said:
If a McLaren hit and inevitably killed a protestor on the track (and the driver!) that would be a disaster.
why only McL?
The gutter press headlines would say "McLaren Mercedes kills protester" a PR disaster for McL and MB. Not what happened of course, but it owuld be too late. You'd potentially see MB dealers around the world getting torched by idiots in "revenge"
y2blade said:
are you sure about the broadcast times?
I've got them showing as lunchtime Sat and Sunday!
Talking about poor person TV I've got them showing as lunchtime Sat and Sunday!
Well seeing a few of the tweets from some F1 journalists tonight the question as to why F1 is going there is only going to be asked again and again this week.
Ian Parkes posted a couple of pics on his arrival and the journalists ended up in the middle of a potential riot with a few people holding petrol bombs, and also ended up with a nice taste of tear gas...
Ian Parkes posted a couple of pics on his arrival and the journalists ended up in the middle of a potential riot with a few people holding petrol bombs, and also ended up with a nice taste of tear gas...
Edited by DanDC5 on Monday 16th April 23:49
Eric Mc said:
It is and will continue to be a PR disaster for F1 and only bad things can flow from the decision to race.
We can only hope. If they need this much security in place to hold the race, its a clear sign that the countries political position is too unstable. At least if the race does go ahead, the protestors can also get some more tv coverage and their opinions will be heard by millions. I just know that I will see Ecclescake on the telly making light of the whole situation saying something like "oh yes, there are some silly people intent on causing a disrption etc etc" and end up throwing something heavy at the tv as he sits there being wined and dined by the Crown Prince.... Ecclescake saying "i have friends who live there and they say its totally safe" is like Roman Abramovich saying "I have friends in London who say the economy is fine"
good article on TIME blog: http://keepingscore.blogs.time.com/2012/04/17/as-p...
I also have a terrible feeling about this race.
I don't think the teams or fans have anything to fear from the protesters, they're not mindless rioters or western hating terrorists. They’d just quite like some rights in their country.
They haven't and won't get a better opportunity to let the wider world see their protest, so they'll be out in force, and the Bahrainis will do anything to keep them away from the track and TV cameras. I expect bloodshed.
I see someone's put Damon Hill back in his box "everyone should just get on with their lives" apart from the people who were killed and the ones who sit in prison without charge I guess. Go back to strolling around the Sulks and Malls, just try to duck the flying tear gas cans and hope the Saudi Army don't turn up again and start gunning down unarmed protestors.
But as long as we can have a boring race that represents what's wrong with F1 these days.
I don't think the teams or fans have anything to fear from the protesters, they're not mindless rioters or western hating terrorists. They’d just quite like some rights in their country.
They haven't and won't get a better opportunity to let the wider world see their protest, so they'll be out in force, and the Bahrainis will do anything to keep them away from the track and TV cameras. I expect bloodshed.
I see someone's put Damon Hill back in his box "everyone should just get on with their lives" apart from the people who were killed and the ones who sit in prison without charge I guess. Go back to strolling around the Sulks and Malls, just try to duck the flying tear gas cans and hope the Saudi Army don't turn up again and start gunning down unarmed protestors.
But as long as we can have a boring race that represents what's wrong with F1 these days.
Edited by P-Jay on Tuesday 17th April 09:48
Regardless of how safe it is for those involved in F1, F1 is a huge 'machine' with massive worldwide coverage. F1 has the ability to make a standpoint and IMO they should. Bahrain has an awful situation going on and regardless of fault, needs big hitters (non military) from the outside to push for change.
Bahrain GP should not go ahead.
Bahrain GP should not go ahead.
Fire99 said:
Regardless of how safe it is for those involved in F1, F1 is a huge 'machine' with massive worldwide coverage. F1 has the ability to make a standpoint and IMO they should. Bahrain has an awful situation going on and regardless of fault, needs big hitters (non military) from the outside to push for change.
Bahrain GP should not go ahead.
Agreed.Bahrain GP should not go ahead.
Unfortunately morals etc are not high on Brother Bernard's agenda.
It's getting awfully last minute. I can see everyone turning up and being in a muddle on friday.
To misquote Charlie Brooker: "it'll be a f
k-up in a fkery."
Fire99 said:
Regardless of how safe it is for those involved in F1, F1 is a huge 'machine' with massive worldwide coverage. F1 has the ability to make a standpoint and IMO they should. Bahrain has an awful situation going on and regardless of fault, needs big hitters (non military) from the outside to push for change.
Bahrain GP should not go ahead.
I find Ecclestones persona grating, to say the very least. I disagree with almost every utterance he makes.Bahrain GP should not go ahead.
Except on this.
On this matter he is right, F1 must not be swayed by Politics, it must be seen as apolitical.
Those calling for the sport to become some vanguard of political unrest or new thinking are effectively pointing the way to the demise of the sport as it comes under the sway of Politics.
Bernie is usually something of a t
t, but I find myself agreeing with him this time, bloody annoying.Gene Vincent said:
On this matter he is right, F1 must not be swayed by Politics, it must be seen as apolitical.
F1 has always been political. F1 just pick and choose when and to what extent, didnt the powers that be choose to boycott South Africa in the 80s? If they dont race in Bahrain, F1 is seen as becoming involved in a political situation and many would say they are supporting the protestors, if they do race they are seen as supporting the current rulers....
So whats different form 20011 only there is a lot more money at stake in 2012 and a global reputation for invetors and businesses...
and finally, in how many other countries would Coutnries ruler, in this case the Crown Prince, also be the CEO of a race circuit?..... I hope all Bernie's dealing come back to bite him one day.
Gene Vincent said:
I find Ecclestones persona grating, to say the very least. I disagree with almost every utterance he makes.
Except on this.
On this matter he is right, F1 must not be swayed by Politics, it must be seen as apolitical.
Those calling for the sport to become some vanguard of political unrest or new thinking are effectively pointing the way to the demise of the sport as it comes under the sway of Politics.
Bernie is usually something of a tt, but I find myself agreeing with him this time, bloody annoying.
I'm the other way round on this one.Except on this.
On this matter he is right, F1 must not be swayed by Politics, it must be seen as apolitical.
Those calling for the sport to become some vanguard of political unrest or new thinking are effectively pointing the way to the demise of the sport as it comes under the sway of Politics.
Bernie is usually something of a t
t, but I find myself agreeing with him this time, bloody annoying.My view is that F1 is an elitist sport. It costs a stupid amount to gain the point at which participation is possible, a very high amount of money to spectate and in some cases, a lot of money to even watch on TV.
Elitism is at the heart of the issue in Bahrain - the fact that there are two classes; the ruling elite and the working class. Unlike in the UK for example where regardless of your birth origin, nothing stands in anyone's way of attaining success, indeed such progression is encouraged and supported (Lewis Hamilton for example), in much of the Arab world, the opposite is the case where any attempt to progress through society is at best; suppressed, but most usually, banned.
The unintended consequence of F1 going to Bahrain is that it is technically supporting the country's dictatorial elite. The lower classes cannot afford to attend the race, let alone have any ideas of their children actually one day participating in it.
I fully support the fact that F1 or any sport should be a-political but to do so, means it cannot be seen to support either side of a political argument. For this reason, far from acting as a galvanising influence, I fear it will create further divide. This, in my opinion demonstrates a lack of social awareness that the sport could well do to avoid.
F1 whilst hugely popular, exists in a world that is increasingly hostile towards it. For many it is seen as an example of wonton consumerism, social inequality and of course the perceived negative environmental impacts it has. Of course the reality is far removed from the perceptions (which themselves are open to much debate) but the strength of influence that those that support these concerns have should never be underestimated. Sometimes, attack is the best form of defence and F1 could do with reviewing its CSR policies before others force them to do so.
I'd not want anyone to think I wear sandals, read The Guardian, live in Islington or eat lentils whilst hugging a tree. I'm simply describing the sad reality of the world we live in.
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