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Jenson Button says F1 must remain united over Bahrain Grand Prix views

Jenson Button says Formula 1 must remain united over the Bahrain Grand Prix issue, amid ongoing uncertainty about the fate of the race

Bernie Ecclestone is due to meet with F1 team bosses in China on Friday to discuss the latest situation, with all parties now accepting that the final decision on the event now rests with the FIA.

But despite the varied feelings within the paddock on the matter, Button believes that teams and drivers should not allow themselves to get divided on what happens next.

When asked about his feelings on racing in Bahrain amid the backdrop of ongoing protests, Button said: "I'm sure some people will be outspoken and some won't. Some can and some can't.

"And for me, I look to the governing body of the sport to decide whether we go to Bahrain or not for the next grand prix. I don't know all the facts, hopefully they know all the facts and they can make the right call.

"We have to stay united as Formula 1, and to say that teams can make their own decisions is wrong because we are racing in a championship. If one team does not go, 25 points lost is massive.

"F1 staying as one and staying united is very important I think. And the decision needs to be made by the FIA. I totally trust that they will make the right decision."

Button's confidence that the FIA will do the right thing was backed up by Mercedes team principal Ross Brawn, who says that teams have to rely on the governing body for direction.

"It is very difficult for us [the teams] to make a judgement," he said. "So we are relying on people who are on the ground and should know what is going on, to make that judgement. And there is a limitation as to what we can do.

"So we look to the FIA and FOM to give us those reassurances, and it is an ongoing situation. But if the FIA and FOM assure us that it is safe and correct to go there, then we will go there."

Brawn said he was equally hopeful that vested interests - due to Bahrain's financial and political ties with senior figures in the paddock - would not influence what the FIA decides.

"I hope when it matters, with the issues at stake, that those things are not factored in and they make a proper assessment of the situation, as I am sure they will."

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner added: "I think the situation for us with Bahrain is that we enter a championship to do all the races, Bahrain is obviously very much still on the calendar and we trust in the FIA's judgement. They are far closer to the situation than we are, and we will follow their updates and advice."

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