Bahrain could stage race next year: Mansell
Nigel Mansell sees no reason why Bahrain should not host a Formula One Grand Prix next season despite the controversy surrounding the country’s failed attempt to host one this year.
Civil unrest in February caused the sport’s governing body, the FIA, to cancel the race before they rearranged it for October after becoming satisfied that the security situation in the country had “stabilised”.
The FIA decided last week to stage the race on October 30, but it now looks likely to be on December 11 or even dropped from the calendar after the Formula One Teams’ Association (FOTA) strongly disagreed with the decision, which was taken without their agreement.
Activists say the Grand Prix should not be held in the state while it reportedly continues to violate human rights, but Mansell insists that the country should host a race next season if the FIA are happy that it is safe to do so.
“There are lots of things that we don’t know about it but if the powers that be have got the right information, and the country is settled down, then I think it would be wonderful for the country and wonderful for Formula One for Bahrain to host a race next season,” said Mansell, who was speaking in his role as president of charity UK Youth.
“It’s important for Bahrain. Hopefully they will be back on the calendar next year for the first race.”
Mansell, who won the drivers’ championship in 1992, insists FOTA were right to raise their objections to the FIA’s decision to reschedule the race to October in place of the Indian Grand Prix which they moved to December.
“The teams have the right to voice their opinion and at the end of the day they are deciding not to go. Maybe that’s the right call,” the 57-year-old said.
“They say they wanted to put it on in December but that’s a big disruption to the teams, they have a long year already so it’s very difficult for them.”
