The Force India driver was reacting after some of the team’s personnel were caught up in clashes between police and protesters while they were on their way back to the hotel from the Bahrain International Circuit.
“The situation is not ideal here, but there is nothing much I can say,” Nico Hulkenberg said on Thursday. The Force India driver was reacting after some of the team’s personnel were caught up in clashes between police and protesters while they were on their way back to the hotel from the Bahrain International Circuit late on Wednesday.
When asked whether it was right for Formula One teams to participate in this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, Hulkenberg sounded confused. “There are some problems in the country and whether it is right or wrong for us to race in Bahrain, I don’t really know. I’m a Formula One driver and I want to race. I’m not a politician. But it should not really be happening, should it? It is not good that we have to worry about it but that’s the way it is now, and let’s see and hope that the rest of the weekend is good and calm,” Hulkenberg said.
“What happened yesterday (Wednesday) was not good. It’s not a great situation to be involved in. Luckily, no one was injured,” he added.
Four mechanics were travelling in a van on the outskirts of Bahrain’s capital city, Manama, when they got delayed in traffic on the way back to the hotel. A firebomb exploded near the vehicle, but thankfully no one was injured.
Anti-government protestors have threatened to disrupt proceedings during the weekend’s race and this incident may have set the cat among the pigeons. According to the team statement, the two personnel have left Bahrain. However, Force India spokesman refused to go into the details. “I won’t be giving any details; their names or positions. They were just people working for the team. I can’t give you any more information other than that they’re returning home out of their free choice,” he said.
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