LONDON, Feb 15, 2011 (AFP) - Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone voiced concern Wednesday that unrest in Bahrain could impact next month's season-opening grand prix.
Ecclestone told The Daily Telegraph newspaper that he plans to contact Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa for an update but said it was too early to consider the possibility of the race being called off.
"The danger is obvious, isn't it?" Ecclestone told the Telegraph's website edition. "If these people wanted to make a fuss and get worldwide recognition it would be bloody easy, wouldn't it?
"You start making a problem on the start grid in Bahrain and it would get worldwide coverage."
Asked if the race could be cancelled if the situation in Bahrain deteriorated, Ecclestone replied: "I have no idea. It's hard to establish exactly what is going on.
"As I say, I'm speaking with the Crown Prince later on. We're watching events closely. We'll rely on what they think the right thing to do is."
Reports in Gulf media on Tuesday suggested protesters were planning to target the March 11-13 race.
It came as two protesters died in clashes with Bahraini police, sparking angry calls from young cyber-activists for regime change and a walkout of parliament by Bahrain's main Shiite opposition bloc on Tuesday.
The unrest in the small Gulf island state is part of a wave of protests that have rippled across North Africa and the Middle East since the revolt that ousted Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January.
rcw/nr11
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