The recent unrest in the Arab world, which led to the departure of President Ben Ali in Tunisia, and the departure on Friday of Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak following 18 days of protests challenging his authority, may cause some problems for the Formula 1 world in the weeks ahead.
The troubles, which kicked off in Tunisia, have spread around the region with protesters trying to oust President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Yemen, fears that Algeria may be heading the same direction after demonstrations over the weekend which featured placards calling for the resignation of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and further protests being planned for February 19, while the Palestinian Authority has just announced long overdue elections, in the hope of warding off similar trouble.
None of this matters much to the Formula 1 community, who read about it in their newspapers each morning – if indeed they bother to do that. However, things may get more difficult in the weeks ahead as there could be trouble today in authoritarian Iran and in Bahrain.
There has been evidence of an undercurrent of discontent in Bahrain since F1’s first visit, with occasional flare-ups in the Sanabis district, in the outskirts of Manama, being witnessed first hand by some of those in the F1 community. The authorities naturally like to play these down. Earlier today, however, the security forces were reportedly firing tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse anti-government protesters as tensions rose on the island as preparations were made for what protesters have called a “day of rage” against the current system. Bahrain is a strategic Western ally and home to the US 5th Fleet. The protests due today are to mark the anniversary of the country’s 2002 constitution that brought pro-democracy reforms. The protesters want more change. This is partly due to the strong hold the ruling family has over the government and partly because Shiites make up about 70 percent of the population, although the ruling minority is Sunni. In the last few days the Bahrain Center for Human Rights has sent a public letter to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, asking for reforms which would include the release of jailed activists and the prosecution of state officials for abuses.
I include the following video, with no particular comment except that these things are not being invented.
Formula 1 teams are due to go to Bahrain from March 3-6 for the final pre-season test. They will then leave their equipment at the Sakhir circuit in the run-up to the season-opening Grand Prix on March 11-13.
The GP2 circus is heading there from Abu Dhabi for the second round of the GP2 Asia Series, which will take place at the Sakhir Circuit from February 17-19.
joeblogsf1 
Sunni and Shiite Muslims don’t seem to go hand in hand, that’s the main problem in Bahrain.
I’m sure Bernie is pretty busy sorting this one out
Well I guess they’d have to move the circus to even more authoritarian places where people who protest or make videos of protests, don’t live to tell the story. Or else they would have to move the races back to Europe?!
Khaled Hassan – I love that idea – Bernie marching into each country to sort out all issues & quickly bring about world peace. Less people fighting = more people that can watch F1.
A million women on the streets of Italy because of a corrupt president … It happens everywhere.
We have to be MODEST in front of historical moments so important for those countries.. our sport is just that: a sport.. a game… no more no less..
If one or two of the GP are cancelled , this is not a problem in regard of waht people endure to get some more freedom
The above video is at a wedding party party last night in a religious “matam”, the police confused it with a gathering and started shooting, Probably because none of the riot control force are Bahrainis, which is the one of the main reason there are protestors in the first place.
Hamad,
Are you saying that the Bahraini police force is not filled with Bahrainis? And that these foreigners in uniform were shooting up a wedding?
Incidentally, you should look at all this as well…
Cloggie,
you have no idea what you’re talking about friend.
Hamad,
Oddly enough, I don’t believe that Cloggie is your friend. I know this because he is MY friend and he is a very intelligent and well-travelled individual, who is a specialist in your part of the world, having for many years been employed by one of the governments in your region. So, a little more respect please…
Yes, F1 is touching geopolitical realities more often than usual this year, it seems. I hope Monty is ready for the call when Berlusconi is finally turfed.
I have a strange sense that 2011 will be another 1848 for some reason — and F1 will be affected just like everything else will be.
Karen, mass protests do happen everywhere, especially in recessions and especially in Bahrain (which is said to normally have the highest number of demonstrations per capita). It’s the increase in intensity and focus of those protests in Bahrain that signals something more is happening this time and in this place. If this explodes into revolution at the wrong time, it could affect whether the opening round even happens (though given Bernie’s “the show must go on” attitude, I think it would need to be a full-blown one in the 10 days or so prior to the race to affect anything)
Just curious – has an F1 weekend ever been cancelled because if this type of thing?
I’m not questioning the truth of what you’re saying. But, the video seems to be making a mountain out of a molehill. The activity shown in the video and the small number of people involved pales in comparison to events in Egypt and Tunisia. I’ve seen larger demonstrations following college football games.
I think there is rather more to it than you think. See the following video link
He attends all the World Championship Grands Prix, and has done “so” for more than 20 years
Sunni led government, shiite majority population. Not the first time, won’t be the last.
Bernie doesn’t care, he liked to declare Brazil the safest place on earth to walk around. I suppose he did get mugged back in London though.
Careful though Joe, you just assumed Hamad lived in the middle east, not sure he mentioned any particular location…
AuraF1,
I know where people post from…
so what do you think will happen joe?
will the first round be cancelled?
these things take time and there’s only 3 weeks to go
i also think the the british embassy issued a caution to its citizens in/going to bahrain
What are your thoughts on this article Joe? Care to share any feelings about tracks outside the F1 world?
As a graduate of Political Science and an avid race fan I am at odds with respect to these events. We have heard of flare ups in the past in Bahrain just before the GP came to town and understandably so. The level of inequality there is rather large, however we do not possess a Gini value of this. A recent Economist outlined the increasing gulf between the rich and the poor, but wrongly concluded that it would not lead to much unrest.
At the first Turkish Grand Prix we had a bit of political grandstanding that ended up giving the circuit over to Bernie. I would not suggest that Bernie is about to benefit from this at all, but it does become something that the sport will need to address if it wants to continue its globalization.
I’ve cried many tears of joy for the successes of Tunisia and Egypt in their mostly non-violent regime changes. So I would like to see more changes in the interest of equality the world over. To sacrifice a few Grand Prix in the process would not put a dint in my spirit. Ultimately (the long view) more equality would mean more viewers or participants in F1 from new regions. However, the potential attractiveness of F1’s glitz, glamour and seemingly endless wealth may be at odds with the hungry stomachs and bruised eyes of people keep down by wealthy, well connected and oppressive regimes.
mad-elph,
I do not disagree with you
Just to reinforce Joe’s point @16:16, this was the first comment on the blog that Joe linked to:
“I just recieved word , That all freeways and Malls were ordered closed at 10:00AM , EST. through out the Kingdom. The government is expecting more protest.”
Mad-elph: I hope that Egypt has seen genuine regime change, but I remain concerned that they have simply placed a new mask on the same face.
Joe,
Hard to believe how much has changed in just the 13 days when you first wrote about this. At the time Bahrain (country and GP) looked safe but now…
At the risk of sounding insensitive… perhaps this is the way to be rid of these insipid Grands Prix once and for all… silver lining Joe?
No disrespect to your friend Joe, I apologize as these are very stressfull time and people are sick of the propoganda machine linking this to a shiite uprising to uncredit it.
Its a national movement for reforms, not over throwing the monarchy, and yes, bahraini shiites are not allowed in the police force and defence ministries, and riot police police are mostly pakistanis, syrians and yemenis that have been fast tracked into citizenships, and yes i confirm that the video you posted is at a wedding party.
I repeat no disrespect to your friend, but being employed by governments in the region discredits him, he knows their side of the story, which is based on nothing but false information, and propoganda. the “waad” political party backs these demonstrations, and its leaders are left-liberals sunnis. yet their voice is not broadcasted in order to give the impression that this is a shiite vs sunni situation.
it is a very complicated situation in bahrain, very, mostly due to the governments divide and rule agenda.
God bless bahrain, sunnis and shiites, am sitting in a room filled with friends from both sects. we dont want bahraini blood spilled on our streets, just our rights as human beings, not as sunnis or shiites.
stay safe bahrain, its a sad sad day for us. thank you for giving us some space on your blog joe.
Hamad,
I hope that Bahrain can find a peaceful solution to its problems.
Joe, you are welcome to email me so i can send you a short representive video of the situation today. our internet is being brought down to its knees am glad i uploaded this to my email earlier.
Hamad,
Are you saying that all videos posted on the web are not representative? And all news reports incorrect.
Joe,
no off course not, videos represent whats happening for real, am just saying the police/riot force you see are not bahraini and dont even understand arabic. thats 100%.
The news is not representative though, true most of the protestors are shiites but thats only because the status quo affects them the most. and they are the ones suffering the brunt of unemployment as they are not allowed in the interior and defense ministries.
This is not a religious issue like the media blankets it as; its about human rights, the torturing, the 50,000 housing backlog waiting list and wanting an elected PM, something similar to the british system is what they are seeking.
I repeat the video post on your website is a wedding, i know the people attending, i have pictures of the celebration as well and how it goes disturbed on the ground.
there are much more videos on youtube now, more wont be added due to the crippling of the internet here currently.
In regards to the GP.
IMO if the opposition that represent 50% of the parliament resign tomorrow, and escalate this politically instead of more protest and bloodshed then we’re alright.
If the parliament treats this as non-existant then expect the streets to fill out more in the next few days, already big funeral planned tomorrow at 8.
Silverstone cancelled due to student protests!
There’s more unrest in the F1 Paddock…
Seriously though a good piece Joe
Let’s hope the situation in North Africa stabilizes soon
Joe, don’t you think that this sort of story is the result of a policy of F1 becoming a sort of travelling circus, selling its show to the highest bidder ? Is not Bernie’s model of doing a TV show with local colour, in places with neither tradition or interest in what is going on, bound to come a cropper one of these days ?
As a fan of F1 I hate to lose a date, but it has to be said that F1 is definitely not on the side of the angels, and hasn’t been for a long time. If the s hits the f in Bahrain, well, it might result in a bit more thought and even morals in the marketing of a sport which, frankly, under the current regime, has none.
A little off topic, perhaps, but I was very encouraged. Encouraged by the fact that “the people” can actually cause regime change – by massing enough strength in numbers and refusing to back down.
I thought this was remarkable and indeed the best possible way to affect change in the future. No more wars or murderous coups. Just the people speaking out.
What a concept – peaceful protest helped along by modern technology, instead of assassinating an iconic leader. I thought it made sense – that is, until I looked at the numbers (350+ dead in Egypt during these peaceful protests). Now I’m thinking that maybe killing one head of state is a lot smarter.
What is strange however, is that we only get to see and hear about it sometimes. What happened in Sudan? Sierra Leone? Liberia, and so many other tragedies that never stayed in focus on the nightly news – night after night?
In either case, Bernie will have little involvement with this kind of politics – it’s government, not business. And the bottom line is people. Not profit.
I am sure Bernie is for the people. And as far as the business of F1 is concerned, he will make the right decisions whether or not to hold a GP in an area where there is such volatility.
I trust contracts, deadlines, penalties and the considerations and positions of many will be evaluated. But such things are hard to predict. Look what happened in Indy. Although that was none of Bernie’s doing, in my opinion he ended up paying the price for others’ bad decisions. BTW, I’ll bet this happens more often than people would think.
In any case, I’m sure that, regardless of a few such episodes and a possible lost event or two, the racing this year will go on – and will be exciting. I’m counting the days.
Worth a look if you can access it:
BBC NEWS:
Our World-
The Gulf: Armed & Dangerous
As the schism widens between Shias and Sunnis in the Gulf region, Bill Law heads to Bahrain and Kuwait and discovers that fear itself is already threatening peace in the Gulf.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00ytjq3/Our_World_The_Gulf_Armed_and_Dangerous/
bt25b
The BBC says that this is not available in my area…
Well if push comes too shove, I rather watch a GP in Spa then Bahrain.
paxdog57,
You haven’t been to Spa in March then…
mad-elph
There has not been any regime change in Egypt – their military remains in charge, and even strenghtened its power grip. Litmus test will be elections – if any.
On a different note – how realistic is that the Bahrein GP is abandoned? Someone here notes the Arab uprisings may be a reason to get rid of such insipid GPs, but if so, pls rise up only during the winter time… Bernie will have some spare time to prepare an alternative.
Well, regardless of which side you come down on politically, Formula 1 has made a living off of taking it on the road to rather dubious race locations where the revenues are not a true reflection of the economic performance of the events. No disrespect to the true race fans in these places. For years F1 lived high off the hog from tobacco and often unpopular far right leaning government sponsors, blowing billions on fancy factories making esoteric gains in technology. The economic foundation of the sport is a house of cards in many respects, particularly given the current economic conditions. EVERY team principal is guilty of arrogance and laziness in serving their basic F1 fan. Richard Petty was absolutely correct in signing a million autographs throughout his career and understanding that “nothing is possible without the fan.” Joe, although you bring an enjoyable, insider’s perspective to F1, the accessibility, expense, and spectacle of F1 in many ways, sucks, for the F1 fan. Great race tracks abandoned, horrible new cookie cutter race tracks, refusal for years to correct passing issues – all reflect F1’s short-sighted approach to adopting the easy, lazy, short-sighted unsustainable economic models in lands foreign to racing. Do you think Bahrain is an anomaly? Not by a long shot, only the beginning.
John O,
F1 has adopted an approach that works well for its current goals. It wants to create exclusivity. It wants people to want to be in the Paddock. It makes it special and thus a little mysterious. This means that people will pay more to get in… There is nothing wrong with generating profits, but I do sometimes feel that F1 has the priorities slightly out of kilter. There is a balance to be struck somewhere and I think that FOTA is looking to achieve that in the future, with more autograph sessions and other promotional ideas. As to the price of tickets I tend to agree with you, but promoters have to charge high prices to break even, until they all finally accept that Grand Prix racing is something that should involve public money. No-one questions a country spending squillions on the Olympic Games or the soccer World Cup, that is how it should be with a Grand Prix. These events work wonders for the cities and countries involved, and the fees reflect the value created. If people don’t want it, then there are plenty of other places that do…
Joe,
This might work
http://www.expatshield.com/