MANAMA: Bernie Ecclestone has assured protesters in Bahrain that he understands their grievances and is willing to meet opposition figures ahead of the most controversial Formula One race of the year this weekend.
However, in comments that could antagonise rights campaigners and pro-democracy activists, the F1 commercial supremo also compared civil unrest in the Gulf island kingdom to threatened protests against today’s funeral of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in London.
“I’m happy to talk to anybody about this, as I did before,” he said in comments to British reporters published today, mentioning that he had met members of the opposition group al-Wefaq last year in London and Bahrain.
“We don’t want to see trouble. We don’t want to see people arguing and fighting about things we don’t understand, because we really don’t understand... Some people feel it’s our fault there are problems.”
Ecclestone has said repeatedly that he has no cause for concern ahead of a race that had to be cancelled in 2011 after an uprising and bloody government crackdown. It went ahead last year against a backdrop of petrol bombs and teargas.
Formula One personnel and race drivers have begun arriving in Bahrain after the weekend’s grand prix in Shanghai, with protests picking up as the fourth race of the season approaches.
Watched by many millions around the world, the grand prix puts Bahrain in the global spotlight - as well as some $40m in the F1 coffers in annual hosting fees - and authorities are keen to use it to showcase the country.
Reuters
