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May 23rd
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Teams again pass Bahrain buck to FIA

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Formula One team members have affirmed that they will leave the final decision on this season's planned Bahrain Grand Prix to the FIA, saying that provided the situation in the country is safe, they will be happy to race.

The Bahrain race in 2011 was cancelled after a wave of violent political protests swept through the country.

For 2012, the race has returned to the calendar, but the situation of the country remains fractious, with sporadic protests still ongoing.

There are also concerns over the treatment of reinstated staff at the GP track, originally sacked over their part in the protests, while human rights groups have called for F1 to boycott the race.

But the race remains on the calendar as things stand, with Bernie Ecclestone and the FIA not appearing to be considering dropping the Sakhir event.

And team bosses asked about the situation at the Jerez test this week all seem to have resolutely passed the buck back to the FIA to make the final call.

"I think everyone, including the FIA and the commercial rights holder, we are concerned about the situation [in Bahrain]," Sauber CEO Monisha Kaltenborn told reporters this week.

"But we, as the Sauber F1 team, are definitely not in the position to judge that very well. We have to trust in the FIA and the commercial rights holder, who have the call on this.

"And if we think it is the right thing to go there, we will definitely go there."

Her position was backed up by Lotus team principal Eric Boullier, who said that in principle his team wanted to race.

"We want to be racing and we want to be racing in every part of the world where we are welcome. Bahrain is one of these places," he rambled.

"But with the political situation in Bahrain, it is up to the FIA to decide if it is safe to go.

"Obviously we have commitments with regard to the Formula 1 championship, so it is not an easy decision to take. We are waiting for the feedback from the FIA now on whether or not we are able to go."

Lotus team owner Gerard Lopez backed up his man's position, saying: "All I can say is that Bahrain is a great country.

"I love being there, the people are nice there, and the events have always been really well run."

He went on: "What I have been hearing is that a number of guarantees have been given in terms of how the things will happen and so on.

"So, if things look good, then there is no reason why we should not be able to go to Bahrain.

"If everything is run fair that is it. It would be wrong for the sport to be used politically, so if everything is set for F1 to go to Bahrain, then F1 should go to Bahrain."

The 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix is currently scheduled for April 22nd.