LAP OF DISHONOUR..

The situation in Bahrain is undeniably serious.   And the problem we have as outsiders is to understand what really lies behind the turmoil.   On one level it might appear simply as a downtrodden population demonstrating their desire for democracy against an oppressive ruling elite, in tune with the rest of the `Arab Spring.`    Or is there more to it than that?  Could it be that, in reality, it is a seemingly internal conflict between the Shiite majority against the minority Sunni government, or even a vicarious struggle between Iran and Saudi Arabia, played out on neutral territory?   

Whatever the truth, it`s a disturbing situation made even more disturbing by the arrival of Bernie Ecclestone and his travelling circus.   And I think we all know that his insistence that the Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead tomorrow is down to the contracts he has made with sponsors, television companies, advertisers and the like.  And for the Bahrain ruling royal family, it might just provide a statement that all is well with their world and that there are no safety issues that should concern the travelling circus or their supporters - after all, even Yates of the Yard has said it`s OK.

And so the question as to whether the Grand Prix should go ahead has, with one or two exceptions, only been in the minds of those not directly involved with Formula One.   And there have been fairly widespread calls for it to be cancelled, for all kinds of reasons including political opportunism.   As for me, I agree it should be cancelled, not for any high minded reason but simply because of my conviction that Formula One is the noisiest, smelliest, most environmentally hostile, tedious procession of advertisements it`s possible to imagine.

I don`t know why, but I`m left with the feeling that Bahrain and Bernie Ecclestone   might just deserve  each other.