SAFETY FEARS EXPRESSED ahead of this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix looked to be well founded on Wednesday night when members of the British-based Force India team were caught up in a petrol bomb attack.
The incident occurred when the hire car in which the four mechanics were travelling became stuck in traffic as they made their way to a hotel in Manama from the Bahrain International Circuit.
The mechanics were forced to take an alternative route back to their base after the attack which involved up to 40 cars, with reports of at least one on fire.
Although all members of the crew escaped without injury, a shaken member of the Force India team who was not involved in the incident has been allowed to return to the UK.
Despite continuing fears for the safety of those involved in this weekend’s race, Bahrain International Circuit chairman Zayed R Alzayani was keen to express his belief that the incident had nothing to do with the Grand Prix.
“The protesters were not targeting the cars, they just happened to be there,” he told Autosport.
Anti-government protests in Bahrain caused last year’s race to be cancelled and it had been expected the same thing would happen this year as demonstrations continue in the Kingdom.
However, last weekend the FIA said it was “satisfied that all the proper security measures are in place for the running of a Formula 1 world championship event” and the race will go ahead.
