Force India team members were forced to flee their vehicle after petrol bombs were thrown overhead on their way to their hotel from the Bahrain Grand Prix circuit. Four mechanics in a 4x4 were caught up in the incident when police and protestors clashed.
A Force India spokesman Will Hings said: "Nobody was hurt from our team. We were not targeted directly by molotov cocktails."
Two team members have since been allowed to return home from Bahrain after expressing safety fears ahead of this weekend's grand prix. It is understood one of them has a key role as he works on radio transmissions, without which the team will struggle to function.
The men were travelling on the main highway from the track into the capital Manama when unrest spilled into the road. After being stopped for two to three minutes during the trouble, the vehicle was then able to move away as part of a larger group of traffic.
The Bahrain International Circuit said the incident involving the Force India vehicle was caused by "illegal protesters acting violently towards police" and that "all the usual precautions are being taken around the track to ensure the level of security is maintained".
However, the Force India driver, Paul di Resta, admitted the incident had caused "an edge" ahead of the race.
"Clearly something has happened and there has been an issue, and we've all said we'd take direction from the FIA because they said it is safe. We need to see how things develop," he said. Asked if it was safe, Di Resta added: "It's a difficult one isn't it? I'm sure it's affecting everybody at the moment, the actions that have happened.
"I've not spoken to everybody within the team, but there is some concern and some people have felt it a bit more than others. As for me, I'm pretty neutral. It's how I've felt for the last couple of weeks, although there is an edge to things at the moment. It's early [into the weekend] and everybody is here, and at the end of the day if there is a race on then I want to be racing."
Demonstrators in Bahrain have increasingly used firebombs against security forces during the near daily clashes. Numerous anti-government protests took place in and around Manama on Wednesday evening, with more planned leading up to the race including one near the circuit, according to the US embassy.
The MRS team entered in the supporting Porsche SuperCup series have also withdrawn their entry from the weekend's season-opener, citing safety reasons.
"It is the first time in our team history that we have had to cancel a race of the Porsche Supercup," the team head, Karsten Molitor, told autosport.com. "In the end we have the responsibility for our employees."
Anti-government protesters are planning "Days of Rage" ahead of Sunday's race while security forces have rounded up dozens of activists in a clampdown on the opposition.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled last year due to anti-government protests that have left nearly 50 dead. But last week, the Formula One rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone, declared the Gulf kingdom safe and decided to go ahead with this year's race.
Join OSM news service
No comments:
Post a Comment