Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa has insisted Sunday’s grand prix in the Gulf kingdom will go ahead despite continued anti-government protests on the country’s streets.
As the first practice session got underway at the Sakhir circuit, the Crown Prince and Formula One chief Bernie Eccelstone defended the decision to press ahead with the race, amid continuing demonstrations.
The Force India team decided not to take part in Friday’s second practice session, opting to return to their hotel before night fell. On Thursday a petrol bomb exploded near a car carrying four of their staff back to the capital Manama.
The Bahrain Grand Prix was canceled twice in 2010 and several UK politicians, as well as human rights group Amnesty International, have called for this year’s installment to be shelved.
