From GMM
Less than a month before the 2011 season is scheduled to begin, the host nation of the championship opener, Bahrein, is in turmoil.
Inspired by recent anti-government revolts in Egypt and Tunisia, thousands of pro-democracy protesters in Bahrain are clashing with riot police armed with tear gas and batons, and three people have reportedly already been killed.
"For sure F1 is not going to be peaceful this time," said Nabeel Rajab, vice president of Bahrain Center for Human Rights, according to Arabian Business.
"There'll be lots of journalists, a lot of people looking and (the government) will react in a stupid manner as they did today and yesterday. And that will be bloody but will be more publicised," he added.
Rajab said he doubted the current protests would be short lived.
"This will not stop, especially now when people died. I don't think it's going to stop easily," he said.
Asked if the event might have to be called off, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone said: "I have no idea. It's hard to establish exactly what is going in."
The Briton said he has been trying to contact Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman ibn Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa.
"He is a bit busy, as you can imagine, so I don't know yet exactly what is going on," Ecclestone told the Daily Telegraph.
"The danger is obvious isn't it? If these people wanted to make a fuss and get worldwide recognition it would be bloody easy, wouldn't it? You start making a problem on the start grid in Bahrain and it would get worldwide coverage," he added.
"As I say, I'm speaking with the Crown Prince later on. We're watching events closely. We'll rely on what they think the right thing to do is," said Ecclestone.
Less than a month before the 2011 season is scheduled to begin, the host nation of the championship opener, Bahrein, is in turmoil.
Inspired by recent anti-government revolts in Egypt and Tunisia, thousands of pro-democracy protesters in Bahrain are clashing with riot police armed with tear gas and batons, and three people have reportedly already been killed.
"For sure F1 is not going to be peaceful this time," said Nabeel Rajab, vice president of Bahrain Center for Human Rights, according to Arabian Business.
"There'll be lots of journalists, a lot of people looking and (the government) will react in a stupid manner as they did today and yesterday. And that will be bloody but will be more publicised," he added.
Rajab said he doubted the current protests would be short lived.
"This will not stop, especially now when people died. I don't think it's going to stop easily," he said.
Asked if the event might have to be called off, F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone said: "I have no idea. It's hard to establish exactly what is going in."
The Briton said he has been trying to contact Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman ibn Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa.
"He is a bit busy, as you can imagine, so I don't know yet exactly what is going on," Ecclestone told the Daily Telegraph.
"The danger is obvious isn't it? If these people wanted to make a fuss and get worldwide recognition it would be bloody easy, wouldn't it? You start making a problem on the start grid in Bahrain and it would get worldwide coverage," he added.
"As I say, I'm speaking with the Crown Prince later on. We're watching events closely. We'll rely on what they think the right thing to do is," said Ecclestone.