In recent weeks, the media has been stumbling over themselves to report about even the most minute detail regarding the situation in Bahrain. There are no doubt that there are skirmishes around the capital and other places, we hear daily that police and security forces have clashed with people demanding democratic reforms and much more.
But we cannot be 100% certain that what we hear and what we see is the Godalmighty truth. We have a tendency, at least in the Western world, to trust the media, no matter what. And when the media reports that they have seen this or that, we believe them. Same way as the media is used on the other side of the fence. When independent newspapers or websites claiming that police has killed this many or that many, we tend to believe them too, because afterall we are hoping that the people of Bahrain will soon be able to hold free democratic elections and establish even the most basic human rights.
So it is, that when the government of Bahrain is saying that the safety is in place, that they have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that the drivers, mechanics, team members, caterers, press and media people are safe, we also have a tendency to say “Oh yeah? Really?”
We could point fingers at China, the place where we just last week saw one of the best races in recent memory, won by Nico Rosberg, and with strong performances from a variety of drivers. They are well-known to be imprisoning dissidents or people with a different opinion than the ruling party. Human rights groups have gathered literally libraries after libraries of reports, clearly showing how the human rights in China are being ignored.
Or what about Good Ole US of A? A country that boasts they are the land of the free and home of the brave, where everyone is born equal, unless you have the wrong skin colour. Rascism is still very much pronounced there, and we could even turn our attention to the UK, where we last year saw riots, businesses and private homes burned down.
What I am trying to say is, that yes we should focus on how human rights are being violated in places like Bahrain. And in Syria, Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo and about 50 other countries, if not more. We should interact with the people fighting, we should see things from a different angle and we should engage. But we should also remember to separate the events, when we need to. Formula One is not a political activist, it is not a body or ruling entity that should or could influence the politics of the countries they visit. F1 should focus on what F1 have been created to do; entertain the masses.
And now to the race.
With three different race winners from the first three races, we could see one of the closest championships in recent memory. And not only are the fight between Vettel, Hamilton and Button, or Alonso, Hamilton, Webber, new drivers are taking big points from the usual front runners, and the usual frontrunners are suddenly no longer automatically front runners.
With Rosberg´s win in China, Mercedes not only showed they have a blindingly fast car, they also showed that their faith in Rosberg and Schumacher, who unfortunately retired on lap 12, have been valid. Rosberg was always considered something of a wild card, he has the speed, did well in training sessions, but then on race day only managed decent places, sometimes even scraping for points. He has come of age now, and is showing a brand new attitude. Much like the Jenson Button post-Honda.
What do we know about Bahrain? Well, for one it´s the most boring and pointless track on the calendar. Secondly, it´s sandy and fecking hot. And thirdly, Fernando Alonso is the most winning driver on the circuit, which were inducted into the calendar in 2004. Despite Alonso winning in Malaysia, I don´t see how he can repeat that here. The track is much more suited the fast Mercedes engines, so a battle for pole between Hamilton, Button and Rosberg, Schumacher is a possibility.
Winning driver? Hamilton. He is back on track and is now absolutely committed to racing. He is smiling, he is waving he is…well, back. Button is also very fast and smooth and I predict a McLaren 1-2 for pole, with Hamilton winning. Button second.
I see Kimi Raikkonen in fourth place, so the last step on the podium could be Schumacher?
Let´s see what happens on Sunday!
I’ve been following this event, even before it was annouced that was given the go ahead by the FIA. Yes, alot of images on twitter are re-hashed.. But at the sametime, there are many independent reports on whats happening in Bahrain. Foreign correspondents are often refused entry – why is this? Amnesty International & Human Rights campaigners are not journalists but are still reporting of the terrible things happening there. It is also in the West’s interest that you dismiss this country as a problem.. Why because they do not want the protestors to over throw the government, as they are worried that the people of Bahrain will make alliances with Iran. So saying that the press journalists are over dramatising is just as much a lie. I am a F1 fan no journalist.. but like many ordinary people do not beleive this race should bein Bahrain. Our sport, can have nothing baut a bad image from this.. I’ve heard all the comparisons of China, Brazil none are the same as Bahrain where a large majority of the population wants a democracy and is not allowed to have certain jobs to keep the people repressed. I still think anything can happen as far as riots, as they are mainly planning a big skirmish from 20-22.. The police or mercenaries (from pakistan) are arresting loads at night.. but from what I am researching many are avoiding being arrested by switching places to sleep at night or day so they can make their voices heard round the rest of the world. Some teams have switched hotels, from the capital to outisde.. So I do not think its quite as small and unassuming as you’ve reported.
saintlydevilish,
Hi Mel.
First I wanted to make a comment about how certain reporters have been writing about what has happening, several of these journalists are sitting in their offices and are not in the country at all. Yes, there are of course a lot of reporters on the ground, and they do report what is going on.
My focus is not how they report, I mentioned it because basically anyone can sit down and try to make a precise assesment of events, without being there, but the focus was to talk about the race itself.
I am in no better condition, as you know, to give detailed reports about how the protesters are working with each other, where they are demonstrating and how. But when we read “genuine” reports from journalists, that turns out to be false or at least not a true account of the events happening, I´d much rather point a finger at them briefly, and then concentrate on the race on Sunday.
It is absoultely vital for me, that everyone understands that I do not dismiss the reports that comes from Bahrain, but as it is with everything in journalism, we, the readers, also needs to determine for ourselves what is the truth and what is not. I would never suggest that the skirmishes, the demonstrations, the protests are just a few kids making trouble, in fact I made an article not long ago, about that precise problem. Bernie Ecclestone was quoted, that the trouble in Bahrain was just a bunch of kids. I basically tore him apart.
Jakob, I am following reporters in Bahrain. I have also looked at reports from Al Jazeera, Arab Times, UK reports, many.. some going back in time some current.. I wouldn’t dream of writing back if I had based what I said on reporters who had never been there. I am aware that social networks carry alot of hear say, rehashed stories etc. But, by now you must see that this place is not minor demo’s or the occassional protest.. This is ongoing, and building each day. I do not think the worst has happened yet. That is yet to come on 20-22. Yates is going back on his words, and now saying that he cannot guarantee anyone’s safety. These people in Bahrain only chance to show the world how angry they are is to do something now while F1 is there. After everyone is gone.. Its back to no-one reporting on protests, imprisonment, torture etc.. The country is not Unif1ed, far from it.. The majority want changes, and these are being ignored. Bernie & Jean Todt have said nothing since the teams arrival.. and have they said they will be there.. as they say its so safe? I hope this brings an end to Bernie, who clearly has dementia .. to have made such stupid statements and had trust the very regime that had harmed its own people at a peaceful protest last year, and ever since.
saintlydevilish,
I am well aware that the reports from Bahrain have top priority, and until the race is over, if it does take place at all, the only story to follow is how the protesters will react over the weekend.
My article was directed towards the race and what we could expect, I could never dream of dismissing the reports as mere rumours. However, we are all aware, and yu are even more aware since you follow a lot of news stories, that there are reporters sitting neatly in their comfy chair at home, reporting on things they have no idea about. We have also read how former UK head of counter terrorism John Yates previously stated that there was no need to worry. He is now saying that no one can guarantee the safety of drivers and fans.
Mel, you are probably one of the most informed persons I know, and I would never suggest anything to the contrary. The article in question was made, simply to point out that there is a race this weekend.
I personally hope that the protesters invade the race track and then refuses to move. I see thousands of people lining the track, sitting down or perhaps destroying parts of it. The situation is dire and with Al-Khawaja, a Danish citizen on hungerstrike is near death. If he dies over the weekend, the race will have to be cancelled.