FORMULA ONE:FORMULA ONE teams are reviewing their security arrangements for next week's Bahrain Grand Prix and are even talking about travelling to and from the track incognito to avoid recognition. After the sport's governing body yesterday confirmed that the race would go ahead, despite safety fears in the country, the attention turned to how teams would protect themselves against protesters or any possible attacks.
John Booth, the Marussia team principal, said: “For Bahrain we’ve told staff to stick together and not to travel to the circuit in team kit. Usually, that’s a precaution we’d implement only in Brazil, but in the circumstances it seems sensible in Bahrain, too.”
Just hours before the race was given the go-ahead, a gas canister, thrown at cars in the capital, Manama, exploded, Al Arabiya television reported.
Some teams have talked about escaping trouble by basing themselves as far away as possible. Booth added: “There are lots of safe havens within about 40 minutes by air, so I’m confident we’d have no problem getting everybody out.”
Others already had different security measures in place. Paul Hembery, Pirelli’s motorsport director, said: “We’ve not taken any extra measures, simply because it is company policy to have a set of security measures in place for every race, based on different countries’ status. That applies to Silverstone or Melbourne just as much as it does to Bahrain.”
The owners of the Bahrain International Circuit described the security situation as “suitable” for racing, while the FIA insisted that “all the proper security measures” were in place to ensure the drivers and teams safety.
But there were plenty of long faces in Shanghai, ahead of tomorrow’s Chinese Grand Prix, when it was confirmed by the FIA that the race would go ahead. Most teams are unhappy with the decision, or at least have serious misgivings. Others are just relieved that the uncertainty is over.
Christian Horner, Red Bull’s team principal, said: “Based on the current information the FIA has at this stage, it is satisfied that all the proper security measures are in place. We’ve had the statement, it’s very clear.
“The confusing thing has been the uncertainty.”
Meanwhile, Michael Schumacher set the fastest lap for Mercedes in Chinese Grand Prix practice. The 43-year-old seven times world champion, whose last win was with Ferrari in Shanghai in 2006, lapped the monumental circuit with a best time of one minute 35.973 seconds after McLarens Lewis Hamilton laid down a marker in the morning.
Hamilton, who will have a five-place grid penalty for tomorrow’s race due to an unscheduled gearbox change that has wrecked his hopes of a third pole position in a row, was second fastest after lunch.
“It was a trouble-free day, and I am quite happy with how our car is handling so far here,” said Schumacher.
