Bahrain: Webber criticalposted in F104 | 06 | 2011
AUSSIE MARK WEBBER has become the first Formula One driver to speak out about the decision to reinstate the Bahrain Grand Prix to the 2011 calendar. The Red Bull racer. writing on his own website, remains sceptical over whether the Sakhir race will even go ahead.
"My opinion is unchanged since I was first asked about this in late February," he said. "Even though a decision has been made, I'll be highly surprised if the Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead this year."
Yesterday the FIA announced the race, which was cancelled in March because of the political unrest in which a number of people were killed, has been slotted into this year's calendar on October 30.
But even before Friday's meeting in Barcelona, Webber had spoken out on his Twitter deed stating: "When people in a country are being hurt, the issues are bigger than sport. Let's hope the right decision is made."
But today he strengthened his argument even further, questioning why F1 is putting itself in the position to become a catalyst for even more trouble in Bahrain.
"In my personal opinion, the sport should have taken a much firmer stance earlier this year rather than constantly delaying its decision in hope of being able to re-schedule it in 2011," he continued.
"It would have sent a very clear message about F1's position on something as fundamental as human rights and how it deals with moral issues.
"It's obvious that the parties involved have struggled to reach a decision but sadly I feel they still haven't made the right one. Like it or not, F1 and sport in general isn't above having a social responsibility and conscience. I hope F1 is able to return to Bahrain eventually but now isn't the right time.
"As a competitor I do not feel at all comfortable going there to compete in an event when, despite reassurances to the contrary, it seems inevitable that it will cause more tension for the people of that country.
"I don't understand why my sport wishes to place itself in a position to be a catalyst for that."
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Jim McGill
Photo: Getty Images