Bahrain Rulers To Ignore Protests And Stage F1 Race

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) – For Bahrain’s embattled rulers, the return of the Formula One race is a chance to rebuild their credibility on the world stage amid the longest-running clashes of the Arab Spring.

But Bahrain’s all-out push to host the race again Sunday after last year’s cancellation also offers lessons into the risks-versus-rewards calculations of the F1’s organizers and sponsors.

Despite appeals by rights groups and pressure from protesters, including a jailed activist on a two-month and counting hunger strike, it appears Bahrain’s record of providing lucrative returns has taken precedence over any negative public relations fallout.

Caroline Reid of Formula Money, a London-based independent organization that monitors the F1 industry, says “Bahrain has been very good to Formula One, so for this reason it’s hard to break ties.”