When Worlds Collide

Beyond the Cliche in "going political" shocker! After Graeme rightly panned the Americans for being morons getting above their stations, giving quite literal meaning to the banal "sport is bigger than life and death" comparison, here we have a bit on the unrest in the Middle East. In a sporting context obviously.

Yes, it's the money-spinning return of Formula 1 and the continued brilliance of head honcho Bernie Ecclestone in failing to see the bigger picture. Let me put this in a bit of personal context. My wee brother was in Bahrain last week. That he managed to get out and return home safely is of infinitely more importance than starting the new F1 season in the right place and at the right time. On the face of it, it would appear that Ecclestone is taking the right approach, preaching caution, warning that the Grand Prix might have to be cancelled and "waiting to see" how the political situation develops before making any further decisions. But then you look back and see how Bernie has run the sport over the last few years and his true motives become clearer. If there was no ulterior motive, the Bahrain Grand Prix would be cancelled in a heartbeat. In fact, there would not even be a Bahrain Grand Prix. The simple reason being that it's a rubbish racetrack - there are very few exciting or iconic turns, very few passing opportunities and very few true Formula One fans in the country. You can't even spray champagne on the podium. It is a typical example of the soulless new Formula One that Ecclestone has created - removing all of the tradition of the sport at the expense of expanding to new states with lots of money to throw at him.

This whole situation is so dangerous for outsiders. Be it Tunisia, Egypt, Libya or Bahrain - Westerners just need to stay away. The violent protests and police responses are against governments who are considered corrupt and lacking in democracy. There is much resentment towards the West for their settled political situations and, more pertinently, the way that their leaders have jumped into bed with the aforementioned corrupt dictatorships to advance their own causes, be it for oil, tourism or sport/money (cough, Qatar 2022, cough). Now let us take a look at the make-up of Formula One as a sport. Ah yes, it's Western rich boys and their Western support staff. Jenson Button got targetted before the grand prix in Interlagos, Brazil last year. You can bet your last penny that somebody associated with Formula One in some capacity will be targetted if the situation does not settle down and Ecclestone decidesto roll into town anyway. Which is what I fear he will do.

So here is my message for you Bernie: show that you have a heart. Protect those who have no choice but to put their faith in you and call the whole thing off - not just for the safety of those involved in Formula One, but out of respect for those affected by recent events. You have a chance to do the right thing rather than the lucrative thing for a change. Maybe you could even donate some of your sizeable fortune to the overstretched medical services, unnecessarily called into action by the violence.

And, for once, I'm not joking. Life and death is so much more important than sport.
RM