Formula One will race in Bahrain as scheduled next week despite security concerns and calls from anti-government activists for the Gand Prix to be cancelled, the sport's decision makers said on Friday.
The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) declared in a statement that the race, cancelled last year after a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protestors and in doubt again due to ongoing violence, was on.
It said it had made the decision after regular briefings from senior diplomatic officials and “independent experts” in the Gulf kingdom.
Formula One's commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, mobbed by reporters after a meeting with representatives of the 12 teams at the Chinese Grand Prix, declared the race “200 percent” certain to go ahead.
“All the teams are happy to be there,” added the 81-year-old. “There's nothing happening. I know people who live there and it's all very quiet and peaceful.” He was speaking only hours after an explosion damaged two cars in Manama.
A home-made bomb wounded seven Bahraini policemen, three seriously, during a protest near the capital on Monday.
Published 13 April 2012, 17:14 IST