Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, has confirmed that the Bahrain Grand Prix will go ahead as planned on 22nd April, following weeks of speculation about the event in the Gulf state, in which civil unrest has continued since protests in February 2011.
The FIA has been under pressure to call off the race amid security concerns, but a statement explained the body was ‘satisfied that all the proper security measures are in place for the running of a Formula 1 world championship event.’
Protesters in Bahrain have called for the race to be cancelled.
The statement added: ‘Away from the public eye, the FIA has received regular security briefings from the most senior diplomatic officials based in the Kingdom, as well as from other independent experts.’