Ecclestone plays down fresh Bahrain unrest

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has played down the outbreak of fresh unrest in Bahrain, insisting the violence posed no threat to this season's Grand Prix.


Bernie Ecclestone

Bahraini police fired tear gas and birdshot at pro-democracy protesters in clashes yesterday as the kingdom marked the first anniversary of a Shiite-led uprising.

The violence revived memories of last year's unrest, which ultimately led to the cancellation of the 2011 race, which is due to take place this season on April 20-22 at Sakhir.