United Nations war crimes expert Bassiouni was appointed by the Bahrain royal family, but his support is given extra credence by the fact he has been critical of the local authorities during the troubles. The Egyptian has now written to the chairman of the Bahrain GP, Zayed Alzayani, and also to F1’s commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone, outlining his belief that the race should go ahead.
In his letter, reported by The Guardian, Bassiouni says: “The grand prix is a significant national event, which is of great interest to a substantial percentage of the population and all of its communities. It is, therefore, an event of deserved national pride, which you have used in this year's launching as a way of promoting national healing and reconciliation. Aside from the economic, publicity and public relations advantages that the grand prix brings to Bahrain it is, on the one year anniversary of the February/March events of last year, an important point of departure for the people of Bahrain to forge ahead in their national efforts towards reconciliation.”
The International Motorsport Federation (FIA) and Ecclestone last week maintained that the sport is committed to returning to Bahrain this year, despite continued violence in the Gulf Kingdom a year on from its suppressed uprising. The 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled after months of controversy following civil unrest in February 2011 – a move that cost organisers a reported £300 million.
The race was confirmed as one of 20 events on the 2012 F1 calendar by the FIA in December, but questions have been continually raised over whether it is appropriate to return to the country.
