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FIA plans to stick with Bahrain

Last Updated 15 February 2012, 17:27 IST

Formula One is showing no signs of slamming the brakes on plans to race in Bahrain in April despite continuing violence in the Gulf kingdom a year on from a forcibly-suppressed uprising.

Both the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) and commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone made clear after Tuesday's anniversary was met with tear gas and petrol bombs that the fourth race of the season remained on track.

"The FIA, like many in the diplomatic community in the kingdom, the main political opposition... believes the staging of a Grand Prix would be beneficial in bridging some of the difficulties Bahrain is experiencing," said an FIA spokesman on Wednesday. "The FIA is not in a position to influence political matters in a sovereign country such as Bahrain and we can only wish for a long-term peaceful solution."

Bahrain has considerable clout in F1, with the country's sovereign wealth fund major shareholders in the McLaren team while Sheikh Abdulla bin Isa al-Khalifa heads the FIA's karting commission.

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(Published 15 February 2012, 17:27 IST)

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