Formula One returns this week to Bahrain, casting the spotlight on a series that has defied criticism to race on while a bloody, political crisis has engulfed one of the West’s most important allies in the region.
The Bahrain Grand Prix has drawn less attention than a year ago when F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone at the last minute decided to go ahead with the race despite calls by some human rights groups for a boycott.
But criticism has intensified in the past week, after explosions sparked security concerns and Human Rights Watch last week alleged that authorities rounded up activists living around the track in a bid to “silence” dissent ahead of Sunday’s race.
Amnesty International also criticised a decree that imposes penalties of up five years in prison for insulting the Gulf state’s king or its national symbols, while a group of British parliamentarians sent a letter to Ecclestone calling for the race to be cancelled.
Organisers understandably would like the focus to be on the track, where another wide-open season is unfolding after Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso won the Chinese Grand Prix to become the third winner in as many GPs.
Much of the racing focus will be on Alonso, who ended a 12-race drought in Shanghai last weekend and is aiming to offer further proof in Bahrain he can compete this year with three-time defending champion Sebastian Vettel.
Ecclestone, as he has done in years past, has insisted the circuit is safe and the race will go on.
Speaking in China, Ecclestone told reporters he had sympathy for both sides and was hopeful the race would go off peacefully.
“If we hear about anything that goes on and it’s bad, for sure we don’t want to be in that country,” Ecclestone said. “Don’t forget when we had apartheid in South Africa, I was the one who pulled the race, so I’m the last guy to help out with this.”
The competing messages over F1 were on full display this week in the Bahrain capital Manama, where huge signs promoting the race contrasted with the tear gas and angry, anti-government chants echoing through some villages.