Formula One oligarch Bernie Ecclestone says that he is certain that the newly-reinstated 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead as originally scheduled, despite the ongoing political uncertainty in the Gulf state following this year's protests.
The 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix was postponed and eventually cancelled due to ongoing political protests in the country in the buildup to the race.But despite the problems with this year's planned race, and the ongoing political issues surrounding the tiny state, Ecclestone has said that he is not concerned about the prospect of a repeat of the chaos around the race next year.
"It is because of them we are here and growing in this part of the world," Ecclestone said during the Abu Dhabi GP weekend when asked about the Bahrain situation.
"If we hadn't done this early on, we wouldn't be here. Everybody is content. No dramas at all."
Asked if he was sure the race would go ahead, he added: "We wouldn't have put it on the [2012] calendar otherwise. We didn't have to put it on the calendar; it was only because we knew we are going to be there that it is in the calendar."
The Bahrain protests flared up as part of the wave of political protests across the Middle East earlier this year.
Some 42 people were killed in violent clashes between government forces and protesters, with a wave of arrests resulting from the violence.
Recently, an independent report into the uprising was delayed by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, and is noww expected to be published on November 23rd.
But Bahrain's Crown Prince, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who visited the Abu Dhabi GP paddock during the weekend, said that he is sure the report will help the government to make necessary changes in line with their findings.
He added that he was certain that the 2012 race would go ahead without any issues.
"It is looking good," he smiled at reporters, "As a force for moderation, sport is a great unifier."
He added: "There are certainly things that happened in the country that nobody is proud of, but we have an important report coming out on November 23 and that will really give us a narrative of the truth that we can accept and move on.
"Just like any other country that has faced troubles in the past, we will move beyond it. We will learn from it, we will grow and we are committed to reform. This sport has a great following.
"After the report, there will be implementation of its recommendations and we will move on. That is the way of the world. But it is safe and we look forward to welcoming you there and we will rise to the challenge."
The Bahrain Grand Prix joined the F1 schedule in 2004, but the race has now not taken place since the opening round of the 2010 season, the race that became coined 'Boregate'.
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