Bahrain F1 race on track says Ecclestone

Formula One is showing no signs of slamming the brakes on plans to race in Bahrain in April . Both the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) and commercial supremo Bernie Ecclestone made clear after Tuesday's anniversary was met with tear gas and petrol bombs that the fourth race of the season remained on track. "The FIA, like many in the diplomatic community in the kingdom, the main political opposition...believes the staging of a Grand Prix would be beneficial in bridging some of the difficulties Bahrain is experiencing," said an FIA spokesman yesterday. "The FIA is not in a position to influence political matters in a sovereign country such as Bahrain and we can only wish for a long-term peaceful solution." Bahrain has considerable clout in F1 circles, with the country's sovereign wealth fund major shareholders in the McLaren team while Sheikh Abdulla bin Isa Al Khalifa heads the FIA's karting commission and sits on the world body's 26-man motor sport council. Ecclestone, whose Formula One Management is estimated to receive $40-million a year from Bahrain as the fee to host the race, and FIA president Jean Todt are also on that decision-making council. The Grand Prix is the biggest sporting event hosted by Bahrain and one that gives the country global television exposure. Bahrain became the first country in the Middle East to have a Formula One race when it made its debut in 2004 but last year's Grand Prix was postponed and then cancelled due to the unrest. Both Ecclestone and the FIA fought a long and ultimately failed battle to keep it on the 2011 calendar and swiftly reinstated it for this year despite calls from rights campaigners for it to be dropped. This year's race is on April 22 and follows immediately on from China.