“We’ve had the statement, it’s very clear,” said Horner.
“They (the FIA) have obviously been in consultation with all the relevant
parties and so we fully respect their position.”
Asked, however, whether he was happy with the decision, Horner gave an
indirect reply as he said: “The confusing thing has been the
uncertainty.
“So I think for everybody here in the paddock now it’s clear that there
will be a race in Bahrain next week.
“The FIA have obviously done their research and come out with a clear
statement that as a team entered into the championship we respect.”
The main question now for the teams is one of safety.
Civil unrest has so far mostly been confined to the villages where groups have
clashed with police who have been forced to combat petrol bombs with water
cannons, tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets.
However, last night an explosion rocked the capital of Manama, and although
no-one was injured – just two cars damaged – it is the first serious
incident to occur of late at the heart of the country.
“We take the security of all our employees very carefully, so inevitably
as with other races sometimes extra precautions are taken,” added
Horner.
“We’ll do our best to ensure that all our guys and girls are in a secure
environment, but I don’t doubt that for a moment.”
It now remains to be seen what response there will be in Bahrain from the
anti-government demonstrators who have long campaigned against the grand
prix taking place.
Friday is the start of Bahrain’s weekend, traditionally a day of prayers, and
has become commonplace of late, the day when any major protest has occurred.
Further disruption is also expected tomorrow with a protest outside the
British embassy in Manama.
A protest group known as the Coalition Youth of the Feb 14 Revolution – their
name taken from last year’s ‘Day of Rage’ that resulted in a number of
deaths – have made clear their intentions for next week by vowing to do all
they can to disrupt the event, insisting there will be ‘three days of
anger’.
That could escalate if a jailed rights activist, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, who has
been on hunger strike for two months, should die, with his condition unclear
at present after being moved to a military hospital earlier this week.
Despite the FIA’s stance, there is every prospect the race could yet be
cancelled, as occurred in GP2 last year when that event was called off on
the morning ahead of practice and qualifying.
Although Ecclestone claimed to be “200%” certain the race will go
ahead, even he concedes there remains scope for a call off.
“There has been enough speculated and said. I think it was a good thing
to put something (the statement) out,” said Ecclestone.
“I suppose the right thing to do now is to stop speculating and wait and
see, then we will deal with any matter when it arises.
“But everybody’s happy. We haven’t got any problems. It’s only a problem
being discussed by the media. They don’t have any idea what’s going on.
“There’s nothing happening. I know people who live there and it’s all
very quiet and peaceful.”