Damon Hill has urged Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA to stay away from Bahrain this season, saying the decision shouldn’t be based on Bahrain’s ability to pay.
The governing body is expected to announce today whether or not the race will be reinstated on the 2011 calendar, but has come in for criticism from the teams, most of which don’t want to return.
The BRDC President and 1996 world champion agrees and has warned the the sport not to ‘put its head in the sand’ as the situation remains ‘volatile’ in Bahrain, despite the government lifting its state of emergency.
“You can’t just base your decision to hold a race in a country on that country’s ability to pay.
“Formula one cannot put its head in the sand concerning the Bahrain Grand Prix because it is a very volatile situation out there and F1 is involved.
“I think sometimes Bernie doesn’t express himself in the way that he really means,” he added. “You can’t always talk about serious issues in a light hearted way.”
He admitted he was disappointed by the comments within F1 about the situation and believes cancelling the event would be seen as better for the sport.
“I am surprised and disappointed that there is a lack of intelligent comment coming from the sport at a time when we should be trying to promote it in a positive way, a way which recognises human values.
“F1 must align itself with progression, not repression, and a lot of demonstrations in that country have been brutally repressed. You are either aware of that or you’re not.”
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