Button places trust in FIA

Thursday 19th April 2012

 RSS
Button places trust in FIA

Button places trust in FIA

Jenson Button insists he "trusts" motorsport's governing body made the correct decision regarding this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix.

Despite numerous calls from various role players to cancel the grand prix at the Sakhir circuit due to the ongoing political unrest in the Gulf state, the FIA has given the race the green light.

The build-up to the event, though, has been marked with several protests and rallies with 5 000 people turning up for pro-democracy demonstration in Al Dair on Tuesday.

Security in and around the F1 paddock has been stepped up and Button says he trusts the FIA made the right decision.

When asked if he was concerned about safety ahead of the race, the McLaren driver issued a firm: "No."

He added: "I trust in the FIA that they know all the information - I don't personally - so we have to trust in their decision.

"I don't think they will ever want to put us at risk. They do a lot on safety for drivers, in terms of the circuits and the cars and what have you, and that's a priority for them.

"So I believe in the FIA's decision.

"If everything is straightforward and nothing happens, it's not even going to be in the back of my mind at all."

Meanwhile, a Bahraini government advisor admits safety cannot be guaranteed at this weekend's race.

John Yates, former assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, told the Guardian: "People say 'Can we guarantee security?' Of course we can't guarantee security.

"I'd be a fool to sit here and say that.

"Is it possible there might be an incursion on the track? Of course there is. It's an open event.

"Can you stop some idiot running onto the track? There have been other incidents of track incursions."

He added: "There will be protests over the weekend. But we want to make this a sporting event not a security event.

"The man who is heading the security said he wanted security to be felt but not seen, and I applaud that.

"I judge it more likely there will be protests on the route and protests around the villages.

"I just hope it's a good event and I hope it goes off without too much trouble."

User comments

    Loading

      Post a comment

      Sunday's Pictures From Canada

      Editor's Picks

      Team-Mate Wars: Montreal

      Team-Mate Wars: Montreal

      Andrew Davies identifies the winners and losers in their respective teams from Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal...

      Winners & Losers: Canada

      Winners & Losers: Canada

      Vettel broke Red Bull's North American duck by scoring a dominant win - despite excursions, delays and diversions...

      Montreal With Sure For Men

      Montreal With Sure For Men

      Lotus sponsor Sure For Men brings you a detailed pictorial timeline of the team's Canadian GP weekend...

      Tyred and Emotional

      Tyred and Emotional

      Andrew Davies sticks his big fat oar into the tyre debate and notes how much the FIA have changed...

      NTFN: Kimi's New Job

      NTFN: Kimi's New Job

      Force India are still wrestling with Sutil's nuts allergy, while Kimi Raikkonen has branched out into PR...