Why the Bahrain debate is different this time

By:

Dieter Rencken

Feb 16, 2012, 11:55 AM

The Bahrain Grand Prix is F1's problem child: In view of the Kingdom's ongoing unrest, should the race be cancelled again? If so, when? And what are the alternatives? Dieter Rencken analyses the issues surrounding the race and reaches a shock conclusion

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Let's not kid ourselves: motorsport's major players, particularly those in Formula 1, have long permitted the sport to be used for political propaganda purposes, and any pretence to the contrary is disingenuous.

Forget Hitler's races, for proof look no further than apartheid South Africa. For many years F1, then effectively ruled by a Max Mosley and Bernie Ecclestone-dominated FOCA, was the only world sport to venture on the country's soil. The repressive government offered 'export marketing' (double) tax breaks to entities prepared to publicise the country, which were exploited then by sponsors and race promoters alike.