wombat666
April 21st, 2012, 00:27
Several news reports that have come out over the past 24 hours.
The fact that these made the 'General' news broadcasts is [to say the least] 'interesting'.
Of course, we know it will mean nothing unless some enterprising soul lobs and RPG into the field.
Be far more productive to lob one at bernie!!
Blood and money splits F1 in Bahrain
1]Formula One's carefree millionaires come face-to-face with bloody, civil strife this weekend when the sport defies large sections of international opinion by racing at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The fourth round of the world championship returns to the Sakhir circuit, a year after it was cancelled due to the bitter political and sectarian strife which continues to rock the Gulf kingdom.
Tensions have been mounting ahead of Sunday's race.
Protests have featured hundreds of people carrying banners calling for a boycott and a demonstration was staged near Bahrain's international airport as the teams began arriving in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.
"Our demand: Freedom not Formula," read one banner.
"We are human without rights," said another.
The F1 circus has closed ranks, however, following the decision to proceed with the race taken last weekend by the sport's ruling body, the FIA.
Former world champion Jenson Button spoke for the majority when he claimed he had confidence in the organisers.
"I trust in the FIA that they know all the information so we have to trust in their decision. I don't think they will ever want to put us at risk," said the McLaren driver.
"If everything is straightforward and nothing happens, it's not even going to be in the back of my mind at all."
But Mark Webber said the extra security arrangements laid on by the besieged authorities can't guarantee total serenity.
"I've tried to watch the news to get a balanced view of the Bahrain situation," said the Australian at last weekend's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
"I want to race but you can't ignore what's going on and we all hope things go smoothly.
"It's a difficult decision. There will be added security, but not everybody can have that and it doesn't make me feel comfortable."
FIA president Jean Todt has been conspicuous by his silence on the issue, while the sport's chief executive and commercial ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone was reported as swearing and storming out of interviews last weekend in Shanghai.
Four days after seeing Nico Rosberg deliver Mercedes their first win as a works team in 57 years, team motorsport chief Norbert Haug played down high expectations of another triumph this Sunday.
"We are keeping our feet on the ground because this year, more than ever before in the history of Formula 1, small details can take you from hero to zero -- just three tenths of a second separated P1 to P11 in qualifying last Saturday," said Haug.
Rosberg became the third different winner in this season's opening three races when he came home more than 20 seconds clear of Button.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso is third overall for Ferrari with 37 points ahead of Webber on 36 and reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel on 28, but he has little hope of a triumph in the Gulf.
"I think we are in for another difficult weekend at Sakhir," Alonso told the Ferrari website.
"I know we have a good record in Bahrain ... but the past means nothing. This weekend for us is all about damage limitation."
Those sentiments summed up the feeling of most of the F1 fraternity as they prepared for a testing weekend on and off the circuit.
2]Thousands of people protested in a Shi'ite suburb of Bahrain's capital on Formula One practice day as the Gulf kingdom's crown prince insisted Sunday's race would go ahead to avoid "empowering extremists."
Demonstrators gathered late Friday afternoon in the Budaya area four kilometres west of Manama chanting "Down with the dictatorship!" and "Revolt until victory!" witnesses said.
Some wore T-shirts bearing the slogan "Ready to die for Bahrain".
Al-Wefaq, the main opposition group in the Shi'ite-majority but Sunni-ruled kingdom, said anti-riot police intervened "violently" and several demonstrators were injured.
Earlier, the crown prince ruled out cancelling the event.
"I think cancelling just empowers extremists," Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa said during a media briefing at the Sakhir circuit.
"I think for those of us who are trying to navigate a way out of this political problem, having the race allows us to build bridges across communities, and get people working together."
His remarks came after Force India said that, "for logistical reasons," it would not take part in Friday's second practice "to ensure the most competitive performance in FP3, qualifying and the race."
The team wanted to return to the security of their hotel before the evening deomstrations.
Four Force India team members were caught up in a confrontation between protesters and police on Wednesday and two chose to leave Bahrain on Thursday.
The Sauber team confirmed on Friday that they drove through a similar incident the previous day, but that none of the 12 mechanics in an unmarked mini-bus was hurt.
As second practice continued, Formula One's chief executive and commercial ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone appeared unmoved about escalating safety concerns.
He said he did not understand why Force India was so worried about safety, adding that he had personally offered to drive with the team from the circuit if they wanted reassurance.
"They have asked and been told they can have security if they want it," he said. "None of the other teams seem to have a problem."
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said all 10,500 seats in the main stand had been sold "which shows that the race is welcomed by many people at all levels of society. But often in this type of situation the voice of the majority is not heard."
The February 14 Youth Movement has called on social networking sites for "three days of rage" to coincide with the race.
At a news conference on Friday, the head of the Ferrari team and Force India's number two expressed hopes the race would contribute to reconciliation in Bahrain.
Force India's Fernley said "hopefully, the Formula One program has brought the world's media here, it gives a good platform for debate and hopefully it will help with the healing process for Bahrain, and that's why we're here."
Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali said: "There are a lot of things going on and we really hope that all the dialogue that has started within the different parts will do the best thing in the shortest time possible for everyone."
The Bahrain event was cancelled last year in the wake of and uprising and the government crackdown that followed in which a government commission said 35 people were killed.
3]Force India team pulled out of a Bahrain Grand Prix practice session on Friday after a night of clashes between security forces and protesters in Shi'ite villages that left several people wounded.
"For logistical reasons the team will run a rescheduled program for the rest of the weekend, which will result in the team missing second practice to ensure the most competitive performance in FP3, qualifying and the race," the team said.
Earlier, deputy team principal Bob Fearnley told Autosport magazine that they were considering curtailing practice in order to return to their hotel before dark. But they would not miss qualification on Saturday afternoon or the race itself on Sunday.
Silverstone-based Force India was rattled on Wednesday evening when four of its mechanics, in a car returning to their hotel from the circuit, were caught up in violent incidents involving protesters and the police.
A petrol bomb exploded close to their vehicle and they had to evade tear gas.
The incident prompted one team member, not involved in the incident, and a contractor hired by the team to return home despite official assurances that Bahrain was safe. Nobody was injured.
And Bahrain's main opposition group, Al-Wefaq, called for a week of daily protests during the Grand Prix to focus media attention on their longstanding demands for greater equality in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.
The opposition announced that further protests were scheduled for later on Friday, but the government has banned protests in Manama itself.
4]Nico Rosberg was fastest practice at the controversial Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday, as safety concerns over anti-government protests prompted Force India to skip the second session.
Rosberg, who won the Chinese Grand Prix last Sunday for his first Formula One victory, clocked 1 minute, 32.816 seconds in his Mercedes around the 5.4km Bahrain International Circuit. That was about a half-second quicker than Red Bull pair Mark Webber and two-time defending world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Rosberg wasn't reading a lot into the outcome.
"Whilst it's nice to be quickest today, we know that doesn't count. The most important thing still is to improve our race pace," Rosberg said.
"For the moment, it looks reasonable but we need to analyse where we are on high fuel levels compared to our competitors and draw our conclusions.
"The conditions are really tough out there, so the race will be quite demanding from the tyre perspective."
Vettel, still looking for his first podium finish of the year, believes Red Bull have fixed problems that plagued the team in China. The German, who has complained about the balance and pace of his car, failed to make final qualifying in China and started 11th.
"Regarding the set-up, I think we got the answers in China that we were looking for and that's helped us here," Vettel said.
"We now need to see where we are against what everyone else did today. It's very hot here, so the tyres are suffering a little as a result, but it's the same for all teams. I think others are the favourites this weekend, but we are focusing on ourselves and pushing hard."
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was fastest in the first practice but had to settle for fourth after the second session.
"Wind direction played a huge role today," Hamilton said. "On one lap, there'd be a headwind going into turn four, the next lap, it'd be a tailwind, then a crosswind. And that makes a big difference around the circuit. In general, Mercedes looks quick. We're there or thereabouts, but we'll know more tomorrow (in qualifying)."
Ferrari improved on a dismal first session but Fernando Alonso still was 8th and Felipe Massa 12th. The team said both men struggled "with the medium tyres and the dust on the track."
Most drivers adjusted to the dry and dusty circuit, which is holding an F1 race for the first time in two years. The 2011 race was cancelled due to ongoing anti-government protests that have left nearly 50 dead.
An hour before the second practice, Force India announced it would not take part as the team wanted to get back to their hotel before planned anti-government demonstrations.
Force India driver Paul Di Resta was third in the first session and teammate Nico Hulkenberg was sixth.
Sauber issued a statement confirming a dozen mechanics on a team bus witnessed trouble on Thursday as they made their way back from the circuit to their hotel.
Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, on a visit to the track on Friday, said demands to call off the race amid the unrest would only "empower extremists."
"I genuinely believe this race is a force for good and unites many people from many different religious backgrounds, sects and ethnicities under the roof of Formula One," the crown prince said.
"I actually think having the race has prevented extremists from doing what they think they need to do to get the world's attention."
:isadizzy:
The fact that these made the 'General' news broadcasts is [to say the least] 'interesting'.
Of course, we know it will mean nothing unless some enterprising soul lobs and RPG into the field.
Be far more productive to lob one at bernie!!
Blood and money splits F1 in Bahrain
1]Formula One's carefree millionaires come face-to-face with bloody, civil strife this weekend when the sport defies large sections of international opinion by racing at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
The fourth round of the world championship returns to the Sakhir circuit, a year after it was cancelled due to the bitter political and sectarian strife which continues to rock the Gulf kingdom.
Tensions have been mounting ahead of Sunday's race.
Protests have featured hundreds of people carrying banners calling for a boycott and a demonstration was staged near Bahrain's international airport as the teams began arriving in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.
"Our demand: Freedom not Formula," read one banner.
"We are human without rights," said another.
The F1 circus has closed ranks, however, following the decision to proceed with the race taken last weekend by the sport's ruling body, the FIA.
Former world champion Jenson Button spoke for the majority when he claimed he had confidence in the organisers.
"I trust in the FIA that they know all the information so we have to trust in their decision. I don't think they will ever want to put us at risk," said the McLaren driver.
"If everything is straightforward and nothing happens, it's not even going to be in the back of my mind at all."
But Mark Webber said the extra security arrangements laid on by the besieged authorities can't guarantee total serenity.
"I've tried to watch the news to get a balanced view of the Bahrain situation," said the Australian at last weekend's Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai.
"I want to race but you can't ignore what's going on and we all hope things go smoothly.
"It's a difficult decision. There will be added security, but not everybody can have that and it doesn't make me feel comfortable."
FIA president Jean Todt has been conspicuous by his silence on the issue, while the sport's chief executive and commercial ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone was reported as swearing and storming out of interviews last weekend in Shanghai.
Four days after seeing Nico Rosberg deliver Mercedes their first win as a works team in 57 years, team motorsport chief Norbert Haug played down high expectations of another triumph this Sunday.
"We are keeping our feet on the ground because this year, more than ever before in the history of Formula 1, small details can take you from hero to zero -- just three tenths of a second separated P1 to P11 in qualifying last Saturday," said Haug.
Rosberg became the third different winner in this season's opening three races when he came home more than 20 seconds clear of Button.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso is third overall for Ferrari with 37 points ahead of Webber on 36 and reigning world champion Sebastian Vettel on 28, but he has little hope of a triumph in the Gulf.
"I think we are in for another difficult weekend at Sakhir," Alonso told the Ferrari website.
"I know we have a good record in Bahrain ... but the past means nothing. This weekend for us is all about damage limitation."
Those sentiments summed up the feeling of most of the F1 fraternity as they prepared for a testing weekend on and off the circuit.
2]Thousands of people protested in a Shi'ite suburb of Bahrain's capital on Formula One practice day as the Gulf kingdom's crown prince insisted Sunday's race would go ahead to avoid "empowering extremists."
Demonstrators gathered late Friday afternoon in the Budaya area four kilometres west of Manama chanting "Down with the dictatorship!" and "Revolt until victory!" witnesses said.
Some wore T-shirts bearing the slogan "Ready to die for Bahrain".
Al-Wefaq, the main opposition group in the Shi'ite-majority but Sunni-ruled kingdom, said anti-riot police intervened "violently" and several demonstrators were injured.
Earlier, the crown prince ruled out cancelling the event.
"I think cancelling just empowers extremists," Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa said during a media briefing at the Sakhir circuit.
"I think for those of us who are trying to navigate a way out of this political problem, having the race allows us to build bridges across communities, and get people working together."
His remarks came after Force India said that, "for logistical reasons," it would not take part in Friday's second practice "to ensure the most competitive performance in FP3, qualifying and the race."
The team wanted to return to the security of their hotel before the evening deomstrations.
Four Force India team members were caught up in a confrontation between protesters and police on Wednesday and two chose to leave Bahrain on Thursday.
The Sauber team confirmed on Friday that they drove through a similar incident the previous day, but that none of the 12 mechanics in an unmarked mini-bus was hurt.
As second practice continued, Formula One's chief executive and commercial ringmaster Bernie Ecclestone appeared unmoved about escalating safety concerns.
He said he did not understand why Force India was so worried about safety, adding that he had personally offered to drive with the team from the circuit if they wanted reassurance.
"They have asked and been told they can have security if they want it," he said. "None of the other teams seem to have a problem."
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said all 10,500 seats in the main stand had been sold "which shows that the race is welcomed by many people at all levels of society. But often in this type of situation the voice of the majority is not heard."
The February 14 Youth Movement has called on social networking sites for "three days of rage" to coincide with the race.
At a news conference on Friday, the head of the Ferrari team and Force India's number two expressed hopes the race would contribute to reconciliation in Bahrain.
Force India's Fernley said "hopefully, the Formula One program has brought the world's media here, it gives a good platform for debate and hopefully it will help with the healing process for Bahrain, and that's why we're here."
Ferrari's Stefano Domenicali said: "There are a lot of things going on and we really hope that all the dialogue that has started within the different parts will do the best thing in the shortest time possible for everyone."
The Bahrain event was cancelled last year in the wake of and uprising and the government crackdown that followed in which a government commission said 35 people were killed.
3]Force India team pulled out of a Bahrain Grand Prix practice session on Friday after a night of clashes between security forces and protesters in Shi'ite villages that left several people wounded.
"For logistical reasons the team will run a rescheduled program for the rest of the weekend, which will result in the team missing second practice to ensure the most competitive performance in FP3, qualifying and the race," the team said.
Earlier, deputy team principal Bob Fearnley told Autosport magazine that they were considering curtailing practice in order to return to their hotel before dark. But they would not miss qualification on Saturday afternoon or the race itself on Sunday.
Silverstone-based Force India was rattled on Wednesday evening when four of its mechanics, in a car returning to their hotel from the circuit, were caught up in violent incidents involving protesters and the police.
A petrol bomb exploded close to their vehicle and they had to evade tear gas.
The incident prompted one team member, not involved in the incident, and a contractor hired by the team to return home despite official assurances that Bahrain was safe. Nobody was injured.
And Bahrain's main opposition group, Al-Wefaq, called for a week of daily protests during the Grand Prix to focus media attention on their longstanding demands for greater equality in the Sunni-ruled kingdom.
The opposition announced that further protests were scheduled for later on Friday, but the government has banned protests in Manama itself.
4]Nico Rosberg was fastest practice at the controversial Bahrain Grand Prix on Friday, as safety concerns over anti-government protests prompted Force India to skip the second session.
Rosberg, who won the Chinese Grand Prix last Sunday for his first Formula One victory, clocked 1 minute, 32.816 seconds in his Mercedes around the 5.4km Bahrain International Circuit. That was about a half-second quicker than Red Bull pair Mark Webber and two-time defending world champion Sebastian Vettel.
Rosberg wasn't reading a lot into the outcome.
"Whilst it's nice to be quickest today, we know that doesn't count. The most important thing still is to improve our race pace," Rosberg said.
"For the moment, it looks reasonable but we need to analyse where we are on high fuel levels compared to our competitors and draw our conclusions.
"The conditions are really tough out there, so the race will be quite demanding from the tyre perspective."
Vettel, still looking for his first podium finish of the year, believes Red Bull have fixed problems that plagued the team in China. The German, who has complained about the balance and pace of his car, failed to make final qualifying in China and started 11th.
"Regarding the set-up, I think we got the answers in China that we were looking for and that's helped us here," Vettel said.
"We now need to see where we are against what everyone else did today. It's very hot here, so the tyres are suffering a little as a result, but it's the same for all teams. I think others are the favourites this weekend, but we are focusing on ourselves and pushing hard."
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton was fastest in the first practice but had to settle for fourth after the second session.
"Wind direction played a huge role today," Hamilton said. "On one lap, there'd be a headwind going into turn four, the next lap, it'd be a tailwind, then a crosswind. And that makes a big difference around the circuit. In general, Mercedes looks quick. We're there or thereabouts, but we'll know more tomorrow (in qualifying)."
Ferrari improved on a dismal first session but Fernando Alonso still was 8th and Felipe Massa 12th. The team said both men struggled "with the medium tyres and the dust on the track."
Most drivers adjusted to the dry and dusty circuit, which is holding an F1 race for the first time in two years. The 2011 race was cancelled due to ongoing anti-government protests that have left nearly 50 dead.
An hour before the second practice, Force India announced it would not take part as the team wanted to get back to their hotel before planned anti-government demonstrations.
Force India driver Paul Di Resta was third in the first session and teammate Nico Hulkenberg was sixth.
Sauber issued a statement confirming a dozen mechanics on a team bus witnessed trouble on Thursday as they made their way back from the circuit to their hotel.
Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, on a visit to the track on Friday, said demands to call off the race amid the unrest would only "empower extremists."
"I genuinely believe this race is a force for good and unites many people from many different religious backgrounds, sects and ethnicities under the roof of Formula One," the crown prince said.
"I actually think having the race has prevented extremists from doing what they think they need to do to get the world's attention."
:isadizzy: