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Nico Hulkenberg says it's not right that F1 team members have to fear for their safety in Bahrain

Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg says it is not right that Formula 1 staff members have to worry about their safety following the incident involving staff from the German's team

A hire car with four Force India mechanics was caught up in a clash between protestors and police on the main motorway into the capital city, Manama, on Wednesday night. A Molotov cocktail exploded near their vehicle, although no one was injured.

A member of the team has decided to return home after expressing safety fears.

AUTOSPORT understands a member of a Force India technical supplier has also expressed a desire to return home.

Hulkenberg lamented the incident, saying that F1 is in the country only to race, and not to cause problems.

"It is obviously not right that that sort of stuff happens," said Hulkenberg. "We are here to race. The F1 business is about entertainment, and these sort of things should not really be happening to us.

"Whether it is right or not I don't really know. It's difficult to say. I am not a politician, I am a Formula 1 driver, but it should not really be happening should it?

"It is not good that we have to worry about it: that is the way it is now, and let's see and hope that the rest of the weekend is good and calm."

When asked if he felt safe in Bahrain, he said. "I feel okay, yeah."

Bahrain GP organisers insisted after the incident that they were confident about safety.

"The BIC would like to reiterate its confidence in the relevant Bahrain authorities in their ability to deal with such isolated incidents and can confirm that all the usual precautions are being taken around the track to ensure the level of security is maintained," BIC said in a statement.

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