Well let me distinguish from other fans. These comments to me appeared a bit hypocrite. If concerned about human rights then the GP should be taking place only in Belgium and Switzerland as if we speak about human rights for China, or India or what about Guantanamo? Let’s be realistic, this was an opportunity for marketing and nothing else.

Of course everything you said is right. And you said it when others kept their traps shut.You’ve been vindicated every step of the way. Look forward to seeing you win Abu Dhabi in a few months.

Great respect Mark. You always know what is most important (e.g. after Sergio Perez crash and now…)

and another thing…someone above states that doctors “beat up patients” and refused to treat sick people. The reality was, 47 docotrs and nurses were arrested for treating protesators brought to the hospital. I think some people commenting here are government employees of the Bahraini Government and are putting out disinformation and spin. And as for CNN apologising, well, it should apologise, for even existing! But that does not make the events of a brutal crackdown by the elite against their won people by using foreign troops just, fair, or right.

I love the way some Bahrainis here say that all is fine in Bahrain, well, it probably is now…the protestors have probably all been shot!

Gave Over! No F1 race in Bahrain this year. Thanks Mark for your support. A quick note.. over 30% of the staff were sacked from the Bahrain International circuits just because they’re pro-democarcy and have participated in a peacful gathering! And that’s the circuit that holds the F1 race!!

“Later in the day Lewis Hamilton, Pastor Maldonado, Sergio Pérez, Vitaly Petrov and Adrian Sutil were all asked why it was not a matter of principle to race in Bahrain. Most of them replied that it was a matter of safety. Not one of them referred to moral or ethical problems. While it is true that some drivers are under pressure from teams and sponsors not to say anything too compromising, it is equally true that too many do not understand the issues.

That does not apply to Red Bull’s Mark Webber, the only driver to speak out against staging the race for reasons other than safety. “I gave my view in February and it is unchanged,” the Australian said. “The situation is changing hourly but listening to the big cheeses it looks like it might be difficult to have a race there this year”.

Bravo Mark!!!!

You are real man, Mister Webber.

Mark,
Your comments regarding the premature reinstatement of the Bahrain F1 Grand Prix are appreciated.
The world is noe focused on the plight of Bahrainis such as the 47 doctors and nurses who, having treated injured people are now facing military court charges of attempting to topple the monarchy.

Good remark Mark, Wish you all the best this year, you can do it, keep focused, and bite the dust, you have said more on Bahrain than CNN did in 3 months….and that says alot Go Web Go

Thanks Mark! I live in Bahrain and I’ve volunteered at the past five races. As much as I love F1, I don’t want the race back yet.

i am a bahraini journalist and would like to thank you for speaking up about human rights violations in Bahrain.
thank you
thank you
thank you
thank you
thank you
thank you

Great statement Mark. F1 cannot race in a country which is prosecuting doctors trying to help people shot by the government.

hey every one,,
Mark!! did u forgoten the BNG ( Bahrain national Guard?
they always protect everything about the F1 races in Bahrain!!
how come ur so afraid,, not to mention that police do protect every thing!!
no wories guys it’s all safe to come, my self will garentee that,,

Come and visit Bahrain many people in Bahrain want the F1 back this year. Love to u all from an expat leaving in Bahrain

mark, thanks for showing there are some sports people who are not solely driven by money. you are one of a group of a very few.

Mark,
We’re Australian and we’re straight up and everything you stood up for is exactly what some of the other people which is not $$$ focussed should have done. I think the Red Bull team should sit out this race. So what if you dont have the points, it’s what we stand for which is more important.

A few of the comments say that Navi Pillay and the UN have offered an apology to Bahrain for misinformation. All I could find on that was a news story published by the government-controlled Bahrain News Agency.

Today, the UN reject these claims, Navi Pillay calling it a “blatant distortion of her words”:

“Speaking today, Mr. Colville also said that Ms. Pillay did not tell Ms. Al Balooshi that her office had recognized it had received misinformation about recent developments in Bahrain, as was reported by the Bahrain News Agency.
‘The High Commissioner would like to stress that she made no such statement, and is disturbed by this blatant distortion of her words. She will formally request the Government officials who attended the meeting to issue a correction.’”
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=38641

(The CNN “apology”, mentioned in the same few comments, was nothing special: The host of World Sports talked about the protests in February and said that 230 people had been killed. CNN corrected this hours later, explaining that only 30 people had died. And yes, they apologized for that. To their viewers.)

The bottom line: There’s absolutely no need for Mark Webber to apologize.

Correct.

F1 has no business running a race in a country where basic human rights are under constant attack.

I say no Bahrain race this year, next year we’ll see.

Let’s be realistic a regime change in Bahrain is unlikely but at least race when there are no protests or the civilians are not being massacred.

Welcom back f1 in bahrain. Bahrain its safe for everybody
dont belive shiia

I’m Bahraini & do welcome F1 to drive in #Bahrain this October!!

Welcom back f1 in bahrain. Bahrain its safe for everybody.

Thanked Mr. Webber and I am proud of through your honorable and always human rights come before anything else I do not know what to say but thank you with all my heart

You are right. I think F-1 teams must join forces with oppressed people against the dictator. But I wonder why Chinese GP is OK ?

Thank you, Mr. Webber, for taking the high ground. Now it looks like F1 is following your example and Bernie et alia are back pedaling on Bahrain. Your leadership and courage are commendable and a refreshing change from the usual superficial celebrity.

.

I take my hat up to you ~

Thank You for your Position to Bahrain. When F1 drive there in this Year, I don’t look the Race. F1 sould not drive in a Land which injured human rights. Mark keep it up …

You are right! The courage to give your opinion proves your value of pilot! Jean Todt is French like me and in France we know human rights, but he should not forget the values of the sport and the common good, not those some money!

Je suis entiérement d’accord avec vous qu’il ne faut pas aller á Bahrein pour les raisons que vous évoquez. Il n’y aucune morale á participer á ce GP et j’espére que d’autres pilotes auront comme vous le courage de dire non. Et bravo pour votre carriére. serge

At last, a sportsman who will stand up and speak out.

Red Bull and all the other F1 teams should be totally ashamed of themselves if they agree to compete on a circuit bathed in the blood of the innocent and the opressed.

Well said Mark

Well said. Please keep standing for human values in a world of greed and expediency.

well said Mark F1 will lose many supporters if it puts it self before real life – i cannot see it happening

I’m excited for the race of Canada

Well written Mark.

It is good to hear your voice on these matters.

hi mark , i realy appreciate ur humanity ,,u seem a man who have a principle , but i am a bahreini doctor , who lived and studied in europe , consiered libreal and open minded , i would appreciate it from u if u listen the other version of the story .. supported with pictures , documents ! how those what called peaceful protestors decieved the world and unfortunatly u…they killed alots of people according to ethnicity, and religius background , especially among indians , pakistani and other arabs , been tortured , kidnaped , beaten .. killed no matter if they are young , old , our king has been very patient with them as well as our respected prime minister , i have a question .. u can ask any forigner in bahrain no matter if he or she is american or european.. why thy stil in bahrain and happy ? i can provide u all with facts .. the diffrence between we and those oppositions that we love our country more.. we never give bad image about our country to outsides .. we can solve our problems alon ..u are well come to bahrain weather for formula one or as a visitor Mr Mark and u will see by ur self that bahrain is the idland of peace and love under our beloved king and royal family

ThanX alot form all people of Bahrain for your stand with human rights.

we appreciate you .

thank you very much man from all bahrini pepole hows looking for democresy & pace.

Thank you so much for having the balls to speak out your thoughts instead of just following a lobby. YOU will be the real winner of the Bahrain Grand Prix – wether it takes place or not!

hehee
The race must go on.Because there are 2 sides to the story….
Revolutionists weren’t so helpless and innocent them selves.

Thanks sir,

Well said Mark, I hope Christian Horner backs you up.

Thnx Mark ,,,
& 4 who say don’t mix politics and sport I say It’s not about politics It’s about humanities ….

many ppl have dead and now re-installing formula 1 is as a gift 4 Bahrain regime to reinforce them to kill more ppl !!!

I advise you to look further into the situation in Bahrain. It is any governments duty to withhold peace and security. No human rights have been violated in Bahrain, if more than a hundred thousand go out into the streets trying to overthrow the government you can expect casualties, which were on both sides as I’m sure you did not hear.
What happened in Bahrain was a coup attempt and not a peoples revolution.
We, the people of Bahrain, are looking forward to seeing you in October .

thanks a lot mr webber for your support our freedome and please call your coleages not go to bahrain becacse it will supoort the dectator regime
thanks a lot agian

Guys what you expect if someone tells you, yes there are this poor fellas and the tyrans are after them and so and so??? A DONKEY would do the same! Real courage is to go beyond lies and truth distortion to investigate furher. BAHRAIN GP will be good for F1, ALL Bahrainis and the world in general. And yes, donkeys can stay home. Or go to China where those oh so real HR concerns do not exist

Thanks for taking a stand.

Thank U from Bahrain’s mark webber lovers

How the hell can FIA say everything is good in Bahrain when 47 doctors & nurses are being tried for doing their job and providing medical assistance to injured people? Trying to topple the government my arse.

from barain people thank you thankyou

Well done Marc!

Keep on going!

flo

Dear Mark
Been always a fan of yours and now I’m just a much bigger fan because you showed us that you’re also human, what the world lacks these days, humanity, to hell with cash flow.. much love and regards from the Island of Bahrain

Thanks Mark for being a human. You a raw model of all young drivers around the world. Good luck in this years F1.

Mark, I couldn’t agree more with you. Bravo for sayting it loud and clear. I specially like the last sentence of your statement: “…it seems inevitable that it will cause more tension for the people of that country. I don’t understand why my sport wishes to place itself in a position to be a catalyst for that.” It couldn’t be said better.

Thank you for being among the first to speak out on this Mark

Dear Mark Webber
thank you for not race on our blood

thank you markwebber from bahrain people

Thank you so much and if u asked all the F1 Drivers to be with u in this side >> Thank U from Bahrain’s mark webber lovers .

hehe yea.People are furious with a country that stopped protests which involved killing expats for taking their jobs,killing people with who have a different political view and ran the country with swords.Oh and lets not forget the doctors who joined the protests,beat up their patients(no lie) and refused treatment to cancer,kidney patients because they were busy protesting.There are 2 side of the story.Sad to see one side is being covered up and overseen.Personally,I am happy to see the F1 returning to the island.Hopefully,that would put an end to the violent and chaotic protests…

thank you mark, please keep going, support this poor people, they are realy need your support, they are so peaceful.

Many thanks from my family of the martyrs, who even to this day, King did not achieve in their case … you are free to honest .. Thank you

Totally agree. Well done Mark.

I am really surprised of your stance towards not having F1 ,2011 in Bahrain!!
isn’t it a sport ?! meant to unite people around, and create the spirit of fair
Competition ? don’t you think your message would be better off, if used to heal
The wounds that are already there, rather than depending on human rights issues,
only God and people living In Bahrain knows about their incredibility?! How you make up
your mind without seeking information from reliable sources, and merely based on
media channels, which deliberately work to show one-sided story?!!
If I were you Mr. Webber , I would visit Bahrain before F1, and seek the truth of the safety
issues in Bahrain, in order to make an informed decision. After all ,having F1 in Bahrain is a support
of all people living in there rather than a support of the regime !!

Thanks for your clear statement. It seems that Bernie’s brain is already infested with the moneyvirus and unable to think as a human.

Mark, you just earned a lot of my respect! Professional sportspersons standing up for human rights is, sadly, a rare thing these days.

Much respect Mark…

we as a bahraini people want to thank you MR webber

Thank for Supporting HumanRights
http://twitpic.com/4mzxi3

I’m a Bahraini citizen, and I show my gratitude to you for your noble attitude.

It’s good to know that the world still has people like you.

well said ,your opinion really support us as a Bahraini people.

THANX

Thank you mark you are really one of the fews who will have pride over money and i really think the people of Bahrain thank you for what you said !

Christine,

As you can see there is no pretence and I would never hope to encourage one. Let’s face things as they are. Come to Bahrain if you want a clearer picture.

You can even see on this board Bahrainis who love their country and their royal family, others who love their country and have grievances. Yes, we have been going through difficult moments but we can all pick up the computer go online and post comments just like any other progressive country. You can see that right here, that this event coming back has already opened up a dialogue for people to talk and get a better understanding rather than being misinformed, branded and thrown into further miscommunication and violence.

What would you have up post up on youtube as videos to counter the stock footage of violence and protests? People getting along just fine? Are those videos that people would watch? I doubt it. Come to the country and see for yourselves.

I don’t doubt that your people’s heart is in the right place but consider the fact that if you haven’t come and seen for yourselves then you are much more likely to be a victim of propaganda.

Drogi Marku prawo w Polsce nie działa w obronie praw człowieka, Konstytucja RP jest tylko po to aby była, zapisy w wielu przypadkach łamią Prawo stanowiące w Konstytucji RP!!! hi hi hi Pozdrawiam milutko i gorąco Wszystkich!!!

thank you Mark for your statement, I think that putting Bahrain in the calendar again will send a clear message that FIA don’t care about people of Bahrain as much as the money.

thanks Mark, keep on going mate.

The reason that formula 1 race is in Bahrain is only one. Money. It’s a shame, but the world of Formula 1 works in this way.
I hope you’ll be allright!

Thanks for continuing to speak your mind mark! This is absolutely ridiculous that F1 is allowing itself to be found in this position. Best of luck for the rest of the season

Really sad what happened in Bahrain, I hope all is ok with the residents and drivers.

If you support Human Rights this much then why dont your team and yourself give up the points you earned at the China Grand Prix, you hypocrite

Hi Mark
I am a big fan of you as a driver but I never thought I will be a big fan of you as human. Your position on this shows a true sportsman
Well done mate! You made me proud

Hicham

Full support!

Your collegues must be ashamed, you shouldn’t be left alone with a position on such a major issue.

Thanks for speaking up about Bahrain. I hope you are not the last. Often change hangs by the will of the few at first.

I have been a McLaren fan for decades. However, for the past few years, every time I have watched an interview of you, I have been impressed by your sense of fair play and good sportsmanship. These values used to be the hallmark of Formula One. You have appeared to be the most moral man on the grid and last year I even found myself beginning to root for you instead of Lewis. Now you have taken it to a new level.

You are a gentleman of the highest caliber, sir. Respect, admiration, and cheers.

As for the money? At least this fan will be spending his cash on Red Bull merch for the first time in his life.

Keep racing Mark. Keep teaching the young men on the grid what this sport is really about.

I have seen extremely upsetting videos of the violence perpetrated upon civilians in Bahrain. Murder, brutality and torture, and yet whilst most people recoil in horror, F1 thinks it reasonable to hold a sporting event in the shadow of horror. I want to lend my support and heartfelt thanks to you, Mark, for being so decent, caring and bravely standing up for the rights of the oppressed. Hopefully, the many who are hiding behind the parapets will be shamed into revealing their true feelings. You got guts, and I admire that.

Well done Mark. Hopefully all the teams and drivers will boycott the race if they decide to go ahead with it.

You are a credit to your profession. .

http://joesaward.wordpress.com/2011/06/05/an-article-in-the-independent-in-london/

This link says it all really.

Much respect Mark…

Well done on speaking out against this decision, but I can’t take this completely seriously unless you apply your ethics to every other race, such as China, where human rights are just as rare as Bahrain.

I look forward to future races in Libya and North Korea.

Bravo Mark de dire tout haut ce que les autres pensent tout bas… Comme d’habitude, tu es un homme juste, et connait les priorités.. Tu es vraiment un homme et un pilote extraordinaire !! ne changes pas !!!

The thing is that Red Bull Racing is not really concerned with the situation in The Kingdom of Bahrain, rather they are concerned with the extra 101 points that are pumped into the championship. with an extra race the probability of redbull wining the title would decrease and they want to secure their position as champions.
as Newey once said about the teams that where complaining don’t be such a babies
Big Fan of RedBul

Well put! I’d really like to see more F1 drivers and principals stand with you.

Thanks for taking a stand on the issue. I agree completely.

As a huge Fan of racing sports is very sad to cope with the Position of the F1 management. My professional field is International Law and Human Rights…I coudn’t agree more with your position and thoughts about this issue. My GREAT respects and FULL admiration to you!!

5 months is a long time and I hope common sense and integrity prevail. We F1 fans appreciate your speaking up and we must maintain pressure against the current stance during that time.

As a German i hardly ever as on your side during races. But this important statemante deserves nothing than respect! I wish you could convince your team-mate to speak out in the same mannor.

We agree with you 100% and not for the first time admire you for having the guts to speak out.

We agree 100% with you Mark and admire you enormously for having the guts to speak out.

mark, i am with you all the way regarding your comments.
Ivan

Mark. I primarilly support British drivers but have always respected you and for the sake of the sport, please, get more people within F1 to support your message.

Will all due respect to these Bahraini visitors, I believe they have been suckered by royalist propaganda. They are the only people talking about the killing of expats and now this supposed U-turn from the UN human rights commissioner. I was at the 2008 Bahrain Grand Prix but if stories like this were true then it is inconceivable that the international media wouldn’t have picked them up!

What’s happened in Bahrain has been a complete shock but whoever these revolutionaries may be(I’m trying to keep an open mind on them), the bottom line is that if the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead Formula 1 will face a tidal wave of international condemnation, protests and attacks from every pro-democracy activist out there!

I do not believe that Bernie is ‘only’ motivated by money, he is also motivated by the belief that F1 is bigger than the events in the Middle East. Unfortunately I believe that he has overestimated the sport’s stature in the wider world and by doing so is gambling with the sport’s future.

If the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix takes place then as a loyal F1 fan I will watch it but I will do so holding my nose(due to the inexcusable actions of the Bahraini government) and I will do so while praying to whoever’s listening that I will not be watching the biggest disaster in F1 history. So many things could go wrong on that weekend alone!

If you want F1′s long term future to be secure then the 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix must not happen!

Dear Mark, I completely agree with your opinion. Taking off my hat to you it is sad to realize that no one else of the F1 society, fewest of all any other driver, is ready to dispute the political and social impacts of this unacceptable decision to reschedule Bahrain´s F1 GP.
Best regards

So nice to see someone putting moral issues above personal, financial and National interest. I sincerely hope you underline your remarks with a victory in Bahrain. I knew you were a great driver but you are also proving to be a great man. You are a credit to your sport and I hope the powers that be realise that.

Thank you Mark,

You’re the only driver who speaks out against this, amazing! I’m a big formula one fan, but with all these people being this selfish I don’t know if I will ever watch a race again.
How can a sport, no matter how great, be more important than the death and lives of so many people.

Based on what you read and heard, you made a decision on moral grounds and that really does show courage.

But you have to agree, that sports unites. and for a country like Bahrain, F1 is HUGE. I do hope you see that.

The same people you are standing up for, even they stand to gain if F1 comes to Bahrain.

The economic benefits of F1 reaches out to every Bahraini and expatriate living on here.

And do realize that the cause of reforms will continue, dialogue is on the cards and it will happen.Even the largest opposition group wants the F1 back and that is saying something.

And yes, I hope you do feel as strongly about China as well. Else you are just being unfair.

Agree with you, I like your thought

With Respect Mark Webber, you need to know the full facts of what happened in Bahrain 2011 I have lived in BH for 2.5 yrs now – it is a good place to live. I am from Manchester, age 59 very english. I drove to Manama March 15 all I saw was anarcists and thugs, nothing peaceful about any protesting, basically trying to stop normal people go to work – Human rights issues are important in the right context, many human rights groups have ulterior motives and certain agenda. The bahrain ruling family & govt. did a lousy PR job on what happened here and the western press was diabolical on the reporting, many of the problems are the have’s and the have-nots which you find examples of all over the world inc. Australia + the element of society who do not want to goto work. people need to aquaint themselves with both sides of any story or situation. Good Luck

While I respect your right to your opinion I do want to point out that the majority of Bahrainis are happy with the decision and see it as an opportunity to boost teh ailing economy and perhaps even bring about some reconciliation. Have you forgotten the role sporting events can play in easing tensions between even warring factions? Let’s hope for the best for Bahrain and make it happen.

I’m appalled at the comments denying the abuse of people here. Just because you are safe at home and you bought into the propaganda that shia is coming to get you doesn’t mean things didn’t happen and still are. Please don’t be blind dear Bahrainis. And the constant nagging about “the poor expatriats” that were killed is just ridiculous since we all know that the majority of Bahrainis couldn’t give a damn about these poor people coming to work for peanuts under the sun, living in horrible conditions. Most of you wouldn’t give a damn on a normal day if a Pakistani or Bengali died at the hands of thugs so please spare us the rant. These people have been mistreated for decades in your country and now you are using them in your game…We all know who killed them.

I think well said, Mark.

I read a lot about apologizes from CNN and Humand Rights Orgs, but I cannot find any of these on the internet. Besides that we all can see the videos and the violence these days. So could the people writing all is well and safe please show some links about these apologies and things like that? Because I don’t believe all is safe and peacful in Bahrein.

Mark, if you do end up going to Bahrain with the team, will you hit the right-hand pedal on the grid when the lights all go out and make the car roll? Would that have repercussions?

I am a Non Resident Indian living and working in Bahrain.

Your views and standings on human rights are appreciated but based on an individual’s views International events cannot be cancelled. At this rate events arond the globe would be off the calendar as there are problems in every country.

If security is your concern, visit Bahrain now and I’m sure your views on F1 Bahrain 2011 will change.

Hoping to see you in October.

Dear Mark,
You are most welcome, bahrain is safe from 3 months and we are working, living and enjoying our life here, we care of you as we love you so we told you the truth, you will surprise how is bahrain is beautiful and how its people overcome the sad crisis, so welcome to your second country and feel free

Excellent Words Mark!! From a life long Ferrari Fan. If only other people in your sport spoke up about things. You are right to speak out. Congrats!!

Mark Webber fuck F1 and run for PM mate we need someone with charisma and brains!

Mark,
As much as I am impressed that you are speaking out and actually know what’s going in Bahrain. I was disappointed to know that your understanding of the situation is wrong. I am a Kuwaiti living in Bahrain, and I can honestly say that human rights here have not been violated except by the HR acitivits in Bahrain who have actually supported the torture of poor expatriates in the country by the opposition. After living 2 months of agony and not being able to leave the house I can honestly tell you that Bahrain has never been any safer especially to expatriates. Things are slowly going back to normal despite many failed attempts and people are living their normal lives here as long as they abide by the law. I mean, rules and regulations are put there for a reason especially those that are placed for the general safety and well-being of the people in Bahrain. No worries all is well here and F1 shall go on..

Mark,I wish u can come and see what realy happened in Bahrain.
The so called peaceful protestos,were not peacful at all, and eventhough they went on harresing a lot of Bahraini people and forigners,our wise goverment waited for them to come to the national dialogue.
I’m sorry that u were misguided, and all u people giving comments on Bahrain without visiting it or listening to all views of Bahraini people,SHAME on You.
Our contry was alawys the land of peace until some people thought they can sell it to our enemy.
I love my king and my goverment,if it weren’t for their hard work Bahrain would never be developed this nuch,and been heard about all over the world.
And unfortunatly some of its citizens would lie to make it look like as this bad.
Finaly,please try to get the real story by coming here and seeing it urself,we welcome u all in our peaceful and loving country.

Dear Mark,
I am from Bahrain and i can assure u that all whats being said about Bahrain is false, its really safe and the government are not “murderers| as those few opposition want you to believe.
Even the CNN has appologized to the Bahraini government for spreading false media about Bahrain !
These people dont want the best for My country which has given them free education, health support and everything that any person needs for free or the lowest prices but they have agenda’s that have more than just Humanitarian, the majority of the people of this country are with the government and having you here for the Formula1 is very healthy and helpful for our country to be back on the right tract to have a better future and fun for our present where your presence will make the BahrainGP amazing as it always has been !
Hope to see you here on october 28 Mark and wish u all the best

Regarding Ahmed’s statement above; yes, the world sees what is oging on in Bahrain, particularly the low attendance at the F1 races there, where it is obviously just for the small number of elite, the same elite who are scared of Bahrain becoming a democracy…

WELL SAID MARK!!!
wE NEED CHAMPIONS TO BE CHAMPIONS ON AND OFF THE TRACK, AND YOU ARE HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE REST IN THIS ISSUE. I HOPE BERNIE WAKES UP!! We love F1 Bernie, but NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF HUMAN SUFFERING! iF F1 goes ahead with Bahrian, we should all boycott it, and not watch the race.

Dear Mark Webber & fellow F1 fans..

Don’t trust everything you read in the media. Bahrain is certainly not a country that suppresses or kills it’s citizens. Our King and leadership are loved by the majority here as he treats us very well. He was the one to introduce the democratic reforms back in 2000, and put the Parliament in place to involve us in the decision making process. We are progressing slowly but surely. We have complete freedom of speech and press which is why the protests were allowed to protest illegally for a whole month uninterrupted. However when the opposition started killing innocent people, attacking civilians, our peaceful neighborhoods then is when we all drew the line. Protesting for reforms is something, but putting the country on the verge of a civil war is something else.

Thankfully Bahrain is now finally working towards dialogue, which was our Crown Prince’s initiative from the beginning that gained International support by everyone. We waited eagerly for it to start but to our dismay the opposition refused the peaceful solution and chose violent civil disobedience instead.

Finally the official date the dialogue will begin is set for the 1st of July, and so far the Bahraini opposition agreed to enter dialogue with no preconditions which is very promising.

This initiative gave us hope, and is an indication that Bahrain is ready to move on towards reconciliation and rebuilding what we have lost (our country lost billions and all business owners suffered huge blows with many are in debt from the recent crisis. The many businesses and shopping malls surrounding the protesting site became unaccessible as our country came to a standstill.

F1 pumps around 500 million dollars into our economy which benefits us in return! F1 also directly benefits all businesses that shop owners, restaurants, hotels, car rentals, printing presses, etc.. all look forward to the time of the GP to profit because it is our country’s biggest international event, it’s our country’s source of “national pride”.

The announcement of the reinstatement of the Bahrain GP gave Bahrainis a reason to celebrate, as we locals try to break that barrier between the international and national media. It also shows the will of the Bahraini people to progress, why not be supportive?

We are tired of our opinions disappearing into thin air! Instead of helping Bahrainis reunite and rebuild, you are encouraging the sectarian agenda to break up society instead of bringing us together.

Dearest Mark, the people here want F1 back! Check out the timelines of:
#BahwainWelcomesF1 #BahrainWantsF1
#BahrainF1isback

Please reconsider your stance, and do good for Bahrain and support our GP to helping it progress towards dialogue, reforms, and stability and not regress towards sectarianism, instability, and disruption.

Sincerely,

True Bahraini F1 Fans

Well done Mark, we applaud you.

I applaud you for standing up and speaking out. Sport should have a moral perspective, not a political one. It is not political to expect human rights, it is moral. Would anyone argue that placing South Africa in a sporting wilderness during appartheid was wrong or ineffective? It drew attention to huge wrongs to an audience that may not have been aware of it and it gave hope to oppressed people. Western governments in recent months have invested greatly and to varying degrees, in supporting the desire of ordinary people to live in more just and open societies yet the FIA say ‘sod that, there are $$$$ involved’
I hope you suffer no ill effects professionally or personally for having the courage to stand up and be counted. I am now a Mark Webber fan!

I am a Bahraini citizen,
Dear Mark I salute your curage to speak and your respect for human rights.
I’d like to tell you that the current situation in Bahrain is safe and we practice our normal lives.
There is no truth for the news disseminated by some media channels for the human rights violations because of a stray people who don’t want the good to Bahrain and seeks to discredit our country. We are as Bahrainins celebrated yesterday when we heared that F1 is back to Bahrain and we will do our best for the success of the race.
We hope to see you all soon.
Regards,
Faisal Hamad

Im no political analyst but i think i have a neutral view on all this.. as i actually live in Bahrain. 
All sports are meant to entertain, excite and inspire us by leading as an example… the debate on whether or not to have the F1 will not resolve the tensions we face in Bahrain. 
Not having the F1 will result in financial losses to the country as a whole.. not to mention the middle class families that rely on the F1 as a source of income.. the tourism industry, workers in hotels, cab drivers, transportation, restaurants.. all the small family businesses, souvenirs, stalls… i could go on but would it really have an effect on the political situation? honestly.. it wont because the F1 is not a judging body, it is a sport.. one of the most important international events.
On the other hand having the F1 in Bahrain would have a more positive effect.. not just for all those small businesses and middle class families who need the business.. but for the political issue itself.. people from all over the world need to come and see the situation for themselves.

On another note.. I dont know how much u know about the situation in Bahrain but u need to make ur decision based on facts.. as someone mentioned in an earlier comment, just today the UN human rights office admitted they were misinformed and CNN aired an apology for reporting false human rights violations..

The people of Bahrain were divided by the actions of a few.. we need the Formula 1 to bring us together once again ^_^

Mark, we are proud of a you and the position to take
in respecting the that a oppressed society’s need for democratic reform and human rights are more important, than a Formula. Kudos for placing moral values & principle over profits. Shame on the F1 organization.

Evil flourishes when the good remain silent. Mark Webber, you have my respect and I bow to you. I have only ever heard you mentioned on the evening news to be honest, I had no idea that you were a beacon for the oppressed and a pillar for the righteous. I will support you actively because you are a GOOD MAN.

Mark, I am not a fan of F1 at all, but your stance has shown me that you are the number 1 person in F1, if not in all sports in general. Well done mate.

Total respect to Mark Webber for speaking out when the rest are silent.

And Ahmed, how dare you soil this page with your criticism of Mark’s view. Intelligent people are well aware of how the media can create a narrow view of events. However, to try and deny the brutal crackdown in Bahrain mocks the people who have suffered and lost, those who continue to suffer, and us. Your comments sicken me as much as the decision of the FIA.

Thanks for making such a clear and public stand. Hope that you and the teams and the other drivers, most of whom seem unhappy about this can find a way around the ‘contractual obligations’ to make the point that human freedom and dignity is more important than cash in the pockets of the already wealthy.

Ahmed, with respect, I don’t think this is somewhere ready for an international sporting event just yet…

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/06/201163135520207409.html

To agree to bring the extravagance of F1 to Bahrain under these circumstances, and to allow Bahrain to use F1 to tell the world that it’s business as usual there, is wrong.

You have a GP on next years calendar. Get your house in order and we’ll see you in 2012 if all is well.

Well said Mark – I hope you’re colleagues all have the ball to stand should-to-shoulder with you.

I don’t know if this is about Bahrani influence in the FIA or an opportunity for Bernie to try and divide FOTA, but this decision stinks.

Who do we go to to charge the FIA with bringing the sport into disrepute???

Good on you Mark! Yes, there are some Bahrainis who will claim everything’s fine and dandy, despite the arrest of over 30 people (all Shias) whose jobs were to organise the race back in February,

As a Bahraini I appreciate your stance about something you believe in but I don’t appreciate building your judgment about Bahrain based on false accusation and fake reports, our doors and hearts are open for you to come to Bahrain to see for your self how peaceful and bueatifull Bahrain is

Unfortunately Mr Webber you are misinformed about the situation in my country.
This sport unites all of Bahrainis and it would be a good change for all of us after all the hardship we went through those past months.
Dont ruin it for us.
And I urge you to look more into the situation before making such statements. It’s nothing like what biased international media is saying.
Please reconsider. It’s sad to see how much ppl are misinformed.
You are welcome at anytime to see how things are much better here and back to normal.
Pay us a visit.

Mark,
You have made a decision on moral grounds and thats admirable.However, if that’s how you want to play, I hope you say no to the race in other places with human rights violations like China. you cant pick one over the other, that’s just not done.

And all said and done, dont u think that hosting such an event would get international media into Bahrain and give them first hand info, instead of playing chinese whispers?

CNN has apologized,Navi Pillai has apologized as well. So it might help for you to look at another point of view.

Also, do realize that F1 coming to Bahrain means jobs for all, from the local tiny store to big hotels, so everyone benefits, not just the ruling family.

Haha. Is about time a pro-gov troll showed up. I was beginning to think you were boycotting mark too.

ahmed i think your an idiot to think there were no human right violations in bahrain against the protesters. Cause u know, 27 of them died. I dunno how someone can gey misinformed with that kind of information. Obviously you do not value any human life. Because if you really cared about the policeman that died then ud care about the 15 yr old boy or the 52 yr old woman. But no. We are not equal to you. You consider us filth.
I think f1 ahould come back to bahrain. At the same time i thank mark for caring. Unlike the other heartless idiots in my country. Misinformed my ass. People died. That as extreme as it gets. No human rights violations. Pffffft. Educate yourselves.

Bahrain had their chance this year and blew it!! “Maybe next year” should have been the answer!! 100% behind you mark! Good luck!

I hope the teams and drivers will follow your lead. For me it is just about money, whoever cancells the race will have to pay for it.
So fair play to you for speaking up!

Congratulations are in order, Mark. I just wish others would have the same courage.

Dear Mark Webber,

First thing i would like to thank you for your message about Bahrain which is nice when a sports person talks about his own opinion about anything related to the world.

Second, i would like to show you how our country is proud to have you on its soils. The reason why all us Bahraini’s are happy that the F1 will be hosted in Bahrain again is because we want to show all the F1 drivers and people who will be watching the Formula 1 in Bahrain that everything is normal and perfect. We are happy with the FIA for allowing the Bahrain race to fo forward as the majority of the Bahraini population including the expats that are living on this beautiful island want this race to happen and we want to open our arms out for everyone to visit Bahrain so that we can show you and others the people of Bahrain that always have a smile on their faces.

Dont worry about what you hear or heard from people, those people the bahraani’s want to ruin the reputation of Bahrain and we are winning the battle agasint such thing against our country.

Thank god for the F1, as i always say, sports bring people together from every single relegion or race.

Bahrain welcomes you and the whole world.

Dear mark,

i think u got the wrong idea about bahrain,, bahrain now is safe as it was before and NO WE DONT KILL OUR PEOPLE
you must come to bahrain and see for urself we are very happy to have the F1 back to our lovely island and we will be more happy for you to join and the rest of the world to
re think about what you wrote and listen to the real facts about whats happing in bahrain
we will be very greatfull
thank you,,

I appreciate that you’re taking a stand for human rights but sadly for the wrong country. Our kingdom has been a victim of false media propaganda, and today the head of the UN human rights apologized for their reports because they were based on false information.
There is a lot of time untill october’s race, and im hoping by then you will change your view towards our country and our beloved government who are only restoring law and order to protect us from chaos creators calling themselves peaceful protesters. Eventually truth will come out, and you will realize you were making statements based on falsified information.
Hope to see you in Bahrain soon

Mark, I thank you for your support to Bahraini people, but I cann’t see how cancelling F1 will benefit the ppl in Bahrain who get to share with the rest of the world what Bahrain is truly is. It is easy to judge the situation in Bahrain based on what have been reported and spread all around the media, but I am sure that a person like yourself will be careful in judging the situation in Bahrain before actually visit the country. The Island is very small and to make such an event successful would definitely involve the participation of people of Bahrain (~700k). Do you think it would be possible to organize huge event if there are serious human right violation which being reported by media who based its judgment on Unfortunately false information. I urge you to go through this link, and evaluate the situation carefully http://goo.gl/fb/8IPMu. Thank you

Well said Mark. And remember if Bernie says it isn’t about the money you better believe it is about the money.

Mark, I think u should stick to driving.. Politics isn’t ur thing! Ur dealing with people who have mastered “lying and twisting truths” so please, do your research properly on this subject.
Bahrain went through a tough time only we came out of it stronger and will continue to be stronger, with or without ur support for F1 bahrain.
I’m sure it will be in october and next year march as well
Hope to see you soon s

Bravo Mark.

Dear Mark Webber,

I really want to thank you for supporting Bahrain human right and you put it first. People of Bahrain are really suffering a lot. You can go ahead and read human right organization and also you can ask “Amnesty” which is the biggest organization known for human and ask them about situation in Bahrain(These and all the world is talking about crackdown in Bahrain) and nobody can lie about this thing. If we are lying, you can go to the following human right site and see what they wrote about Bahrain (They are neutral):

• http://www.hrw.org/en/search/apachesolr_search/bahrain
(Around 200 search title about Bahrain crackdown and right violation)
• http://www.amnestyusa.org/search/node/bahrain
(Around 100 search title about Bahrain crackdown and right violation)
• Petition against #F1 in #bahrain just passed 400,000, almost as many as Bahrain’s population (citizens) http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_f1_in_brutal_bahrain/
• https://www.facebook.com/bahrain.injustice.story
(Lots of other videos and pictures, you can find them in the following site)

Some other videos:
• (Bahrain) Trying to Hit a Peroson and Detain Him..http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIUEQuUU-6k
• This is aljazeera english video http://bit.ly/imwsdp
• CNN: Opposition: Thousands hit Bahrain streets to mourn fallen protesters http://goo.gl/etg1B
• Riot Police stealing Fish Tank bahrain http://fb.me/J3VQ6J4m
• http://fb.me/12wOfTWgi (Bahrain)
• (Bahrain) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=or8zwo9Khv4&feature=share
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cajg6ji6xM8
• http://fb.me/12fTfepEC
• http://fb.me/MwLlCgYa
• http://fb.me/Ap1mwaBF

An English book explaining all what is really happening in Bahrain:
• 200 PAGES (Bahrian) LULU Revolution –English Book http://goo.gl/ee2nI

People of Bahrain (05 June 2011)
Human Right and Dignity First (History will remember You)

Hear, hear! Well said, Mark.

From Bahrain .. THANK YOU!
God bless you :’)

Thank you Mark – great to see you sticking to your principles, as always – but this time on an issue that is really, really important, and much wider than motorsport (as you have said). Huge respect.

Cheers, Patrick.

I want to thank you that you put bahrain people right first..I hope this race to be cancelled..because really we are suffering a lot here..all people see this site..just it will take from you seconds..https://www.facebook.com/bahrain.injustice.story

Stay out of Bahrain until it stops killing, injuring and intimidating innocent people. Does F1 want blood on its hands?

Mark, dont mix politics in sports, people like you who are well known should support uniting and rejoicing. Instead, u challenge the decision to bring back the F1 in Bahrain. You have been misinformed about the situation in Bahrain, i think you should appologize to us Bahrainis for such statements.

Even Navy Pillay, thr head of Human Rights in the UN appologized and officially stated that she was misinformed and that info she received about Bahrain are incorrect.

I hope you come here and see for urself that this is nothing more than anti bahranis trying to bahrain. its a shame that u said what u said becuz u have been here urself and u saw bahrain for urself, u saw all our smiles and happinness. u saw the faces of the true bahrainis… im shocked that u believe media propaganda.

i think we deserve an apology, even the head of human rights in UN apologized. truth prevails my friend.

Good man .. I’m sure your gonna get some stick from the F1 managment ..but its not just about the hip pocket ..well done for having the balls to speak up !

Well said. But the reality is opinions like this aren’t appreciated anymore. Going back to Bahrain is all about money, nothibg else.

Mark, you are spot on. More power to you.

Well done, I agree with everything you have said. Will the drivers wear black armbands as a mark of respect?

Mark Webber stands up to be counted and passes into legend.

They’ll open the race with hangings of political prisoners and the drivers will be wearing gas masks.

Hi Mark,

I am absolutely impressed to read your clear statement and I very much appreciate such a clear and open comment from your side! Please try to convince your team and all other drivers! Best wishes to you!

Good on you, Mark! Great to see you taking a principled stance!

F1 shouldn’t race – or even think about racing – in Bahrain until their government stops killing, injuring and intimidating innocent protestors.

I’m a long time supporter of Formula 1 and see this as proof that Bernie Ecclestone cares more about money than the well-being of the teams and the whole sport in general.

FOTA should get all the teams together and decide that an even later finish in 2011 is crazy, that none of you wish to be associated with the murderous Bahraini government, and simply refuse to race.

If the teams and their drivers act together, Ecclestone’s not going to do anything about it. He needs the drivers and the teams as much as they need him…

Well done for speaking out Mark, let’s hope some others follow your lead.

No drivers should participate without the express permission of the ppl arrested for protesting their civil rights, and the doctors victimised for treating their injuries.

The people of Bahrain (and the Middle East in general) do not have a voice, and so its great to see that people in the West share the same ideals for human rights, even if that view may make them unpopular.

Thank you Mark Webber, I don’t think you realize how much your words do to the spirits of those who yearn for freedom.

From bahraini people
Thank you very much

Well said Mark, both yourself and Damon Hill have showed where the moral high ground is. And BE has sadly been consistent as always.

mark… you have transformed to the best driver in the grid in my opinion…. you spoke up and didn’t hesitate or ignore the real human rights issue there like other drivers did…. im very proud of you!

Respect!

well said Mark. I hope all drivers think like you. I will be funny if the race goes on if all the drivers suddenly have an ‘engine problem’ and nobody finishes the race.

Just to let you know we lake the very basic , freedom of expresion and free spache.
Thank you

Thanks Mark!
I live in Bahrain and have been in the midst of all the problems the last few months. People are still suffering here and the problems needs to be solved before F1 can come back. Lots of people are still in prison beaten and tortured and arrests are still being made on a daily basis. Thank you so much for standing up for this! I am also very happy to see all the positive comments here. Please don’t forget Bahrain and it’s people.

Mark, your spot on. I live in Bahrain and if the world thinks that things are normal here then they are kidding themselves. I very much appreciate the comments that you have made. Let me assure you that you are correct.

Well done Mark, I totally agree with you
F1 should actively go out of its way to make sure that human rights are being respected. Can you get the other drivers to support your opinion

Agreed Mark, hope to hell that more drivers, teams, personel and manaqement think the same. Even as an F1 fan that would love if it was possible to race every weekend as I enjoy it that much, I do not want the Bahrain grand prix to be held

thanks

Spot on, could not agree more, hope your reading this Bernie

thanks for yuor voice

we need yuor voice

I’m Bahraini and well said ! please do be part of that !! they’ll never stop human rights violation against my people

help as pleas

If not for the fact that I already held you in the highest esteem, this’d made me even more supportive of your racing.

Mark, you’re one of the best racers In F1. More importantly, you’re the only to show concern for the Bahrainis, fans, team personnel, etc.

This stuff matters. Thank you. And keep those fast laps coming. Can’t wait to see you in Austin next year. Brisket and BBQ, baby!

thannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnks so much

Absolutely couldn’t agree more, Mark. Kudos to you for having the balls to be one of the first to speak out compared to everyone else sitting on the fence, keeping quiet.

So proud to be a massive fan of yours. Keep up the fantastic work – you legend!

Well done! The people of Bahrain need all the support they can get.

Thank you Mark for having the courage to speak out and say No.

As to Sean’s long comment, including ‘unfortunate deaths’ (sic),rubber bullets and tear gas in Manama yesteray, two days after emergency rule was lifted.

The problems in Bahrain are not going to be fixed by F1 appearing there to prop up the status quo and keep up the pretence that everything is ok.

As the FIA made the decision to reinstate the Bahrain GP in 2011, friends of mine living in Bahrain, were sitting at home trying to settle young children, as they listened to shelling continuing in the distance. The FIA are delusional.

Absolute respect for Mark being a voice of reason while others have remained quiet.

Well said Mark, greatly appreciate your stand.

RESPECT.. to the true gentleman of F1. It is not about the teams safety, it runs a lot deeper than that.

Well said Mark, shame those who run the FIA seem to live on another planet to the rest of us.

Thanks for having the balls to stand with the majority of F1 fans and media around the world! I hope this encourages other drivers and team members to speak their minds

Being your fan and supporting you always again makes me really proud. I absolutely agree with you!!!!! Thank you so much for being as you are, congrats baby!!!!!

Mark, top man for having a conscience and big enough balls to use it. You have put to shame a lot of people who should know better. Well said. Good luck.

Well said mark , I am a Bahraini and I don’t think it was the right decision to make from the FIA I think they reconsider this , although F1 could get bahrain a high reputation among the world , but it is not the right time .

All the best

It is so refreshing to hear a top-ranking sports star say these words.
Sport can unify but, in the Bahrain govt’s case, can also seem to promote and support a political idea – namely that all is well in this troubled island.
f1 is more than a race here – it is a political statement of international recognition. By deciding to come here at a time when arbitary arrests, beatings, tear gassing and intimidation are going on, is irresponsible and blackens the name of F1.
Your brave words restore faith in the sport you represent.
Well done!

Screw the FIA and Berbie regarding the Bahrain decision with a rusty, barbed wire dildo.

Well said, Mark.

Thank you Mr Webber. Spot on.

Well said Mark! and well done. Thank you for speaking up.

You my friend, you are a gentleman for telling the truth. I just hope the FIA does something about it or else the bahraini gov will harm more protesters.

Well said, at last someone with balls. The Bahrain decision is wrong and F1 will be the poorer for it.

Of course you will oppose the austral Ian GP where the poor taxpayers who care not about racing as a sport are being reamed by the majority ruthlessly and relentlessly. The austrailians individuals are more civilso they do not riot and need to be shot, so the reaming continues annually, but the F1 wrong is identical. It is wrong of government to abuse a minority to benefit the powerful majority. F1 needs to not happen in countries where such abuse happens. (slight smile tongue in cheek)

Thanks for your leadership. F-1′s decision ignores the obvious: the situation is neither ethical nor safe. Let’s hope the drivers and teams have the courage to do the right thing.

I’m agree with you…PUSH MARK!!!!!!!!

Thank you Mark for making public your ethical point of view. You stand as a lone voice in F1, courageous and forthright as ever. You shame your fellows.

Thank You Mark for speaking out and taking a moral stand.
We agree and will support you all the way.
Come on all you other drivers!!

As much as I agree with your moral stance on the issue, like the Beijing Olympics and the South African World Cup when it comes to big money sporting events most moral compasses opt for the almighty $$$. Sad, but maybe it will keep the global attention on Bahrain and provide some much needed revenue.

Well said, money should not come before human rights. Maybe the drivers will pull into pit lane after parade lap in protest.;-)

thanks

شكرا لك و نرجو ان تطلب من باقي السائقين المقاطعة كتبت باللغة العربية عمد شكرا جزيلا لإنسانيتك

Fair dues mate, it takes balls to drive an F1 car at top speed, but even more to stand your ground on something you believe in. Many of us are clearly behind you.

Yet again Mark bits the nail right on the head. Well said sir.

Maybe we should have Mark heading the FIA……

Couldn’t agree with you more Mark. Lets hope that common sense prevails however unlikely that appears right now.

Well done Mark for speaking your mind.

I have a friend out in Bahrain at the moment who says there is no way it would be safe for a Grand Prix to go ahead there.

And what about us fans who have already booked flights and accomodation to India for that weekend?
I have been excited for what was supposed to be a once in a lifetime, birthday trip to a foreign Grand Prix for months. Bang goes that dream.

Still, at least I’m not living in amongst the turmoil that others are.

Hi Mark, I hope you won’t get any trouble. But it’s very brave what you have said. I totally agree! FIA did a big mistake. Hope the teams can get a change in that case.

Mark,

Obviously not going try and change how you feel as I’ve always respected your method of sticking to your guns and where it’s got you.

However, just to say let time pass and consider that already everyone in Bahrain (opposition included) is welcoming the return of an event that we genuinely worked hard to put on years back and opened up the door to global sport coming to the Middle East.

Killing is never right and the lives that were lost in this dispute were unfortunate, however the power of sport to unify is really the only reason why we believe and support champions and competititors, from my point of view. And it’s already working as, after yesterday’s watershed decision (which may or may not be the final say on this year’s matter) has already got everyone talking about a dialogue for peace and the future.

If you or anyone else want to be outraged about it as a human rights issue, consider that Bahrain is not an example to be made of or hide behind when there are other countries (UK included) where there are human rights questions on the table and breaches all the time. How can a sport live if it concerns itself with such matters and opens itself up to hypocracy and inconsistency? I don’t think it can.

Fair play if you guys have concerns for your personal or team safety when travelling, or the workload involved but please…I suspect that most people that have jumped on the bandwagon to campaign against the Bahrain GP 2011 are people that don’t really care for Bahrain and probably never wanted to see a Bahrain GP on the calendar in the first place.

I’m Proud of you as much as I feel FIA should be ashamed!

Huge respect to Mark for speaking out and telling it like is! I look forward to similar integrity from the rest of the drivers and teams!?

always apprecite your forthright comments how many drivers or teams would boycott the event what would be your position? and that of Red Bull?

You’re a good man! I used to like Hamilton but now you are my favorite guy!

Well said Mark, totally agree! I`m proud to be a fan of yours.
Keep fighting.

Thank you for your commitment to human rights and for your speaking out. We are confident that the FIA will arrive to the same conclusion once it will fully appreciate that the issue is not the rescheduling of a GP but a moral objection of its global audience.

Your right. Make a stand and others will follow. Don’t go there. No one is forcing you too. Good luck for the rest of the season.

On behalf of myself and my frinds in Bahrain, I thank you so much for your concern about the human rights issue in our beloved Country. Your firm opinion means a lot to us. I can’t express our gratitude and appreciation enough but be assured that will will remain your fans forever. Next time you to Bahrain, please do accept our invitation to show you Bahrain as you’ve never seen it before!

Well done for having the balls to speak out, Mark. I’m so disappointed the FIA have abdicated responsibility for this & passed it down the chain to the teams & drivers. I sincerely hope the teams stand together & boycott this race. It would make me very proud to be an F1 fan again.

Well done Mark for saying what so many fans feel – makes me proud to support you

It’s nice to support someone with a moral compass.

Then why is nobody making a fuss about going to China for example? It’s just hypocrit to be speaking out now against Bahrain when everybody has kept their mouths shut when F1 traveled to other countries where human rights were and are not respected. But because it is a hot item, which generates a lot of publicity, teams feel the need to act all political to ensure they won’t lose any money because of bad press.

Good on you for speaking out. It seems likely that that WMSC decision was made in order to pass the buck to the teams. You’re doing the best thing by firmly taking the high ground and saying that some things are more important than F1!

You stand head and shoulders above the decision makes in F1 who deem it acceptable to endorse a regime that brutalises his citizens. As Val said, makes me prouder than ever to be a MWSC member.

Bravo for having the guts to stand up for human rights and for pointing out the dithering that the FIA indulges in.

Finally. BALLS. I thought F1 didn’t have them anymore.

Respect, Mark.

To some people money is the most important thing. I am so proud that you have the guts to say what you truly believe.

Congratulations Mark on saying what you think. No splinters in your arse.

How ironic would it be if one of the F1 drivers had to be taken to a hospital in Bahrain, where patients have been severely mistreated if not tortured. Here’s a tip. The drivers should go to Bahrain and then go slow in a mass protest.

Couldn’t agree more Mark. Worst decision possible.

Completely agree Mark – well said.

Well impressed that you are brave enough to speak, despite possible conflict with your contract, hope it’s cancelled before journos and techies get hurt

Dear Mr. Webber,

I am a Bahraini living in Australia and I am sending you this just to say thank you about your thoughts about racing in Bahrain.

While most of the world governments are keeping it’s silence regarding this little country, well known and respected people like you are the only voice for the Bahraini people.

Thank you…

Zainab

Well said mark but it seems the money is far more important to the fia and fom and this also has a massive effect on not only yourselfs and the people of Bahrain but also your team personal as Ross brawn says the length of the working year has bit hit hard less time off for them to see there family’s it’s like that’s not considered either
It’s good we can trust in you to voice your opinion whilst everyone else it seems is hiding behind the tyres well for now at least
Best of luck for Canada from a avid mclaren fan you need to stop seb lol

second comment from me I love F1 and have been following sonce 1963.

I agree with you 250% Mark! I don’t see it as being right and the FIA should have taken the stance not to race until 2012 at the very earliest!

Mark is spot on ! If Bernies says its not about money, well he must be at least 6 ft 6inches tall

I do agree with you, and to be honest I’m not your biggest fan. However, what about china?

Couldn’t agree more. I hope the decision to reinstate the GP wasn’t based on financial loss – although I suspect it was – at least in part.

Well done for voicing your thoughts. Like you say though – hopefully it still won’t take place.

Well said that man – good to know that someone in F1 has a conscience.

Well said mate, fully support your position, hope other drivers speak out in solidarity.

Well said! Hope more drivers join you on this issue. F1 should set the example and not allow money to trump such important values as Human Rights!

Well done Mark. You are the only one inside the teams who has spoken up since the start, and you are saying what the majority think.

Bravo for taking a stand.
Ecclestone’s justification was lame, to say the least.

Absolutely agree and good to know that You think this way

Am so proud that you have come out with your thoughts on Bahrain Mark. That takes a lot of guts and makes me all the more prouder to be a supporter of yours…Thanks

Go Mark! Just what the FIA were hoping you would say

Mark!!! We want you to be safe! Hard to find people like younowdays!

Mark!!! When people in a country are being hurt, the issues are bigger than sport. This is your exact words!!! Pls watch channel 4 on 14th of June! Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields! Tears as I am writing this! Pls watch!

Congrats Mark for having the balls to say what many fans are thinking. I am a fan who has quit my job and planning to attend all the GPs in the second half of the year, but I sure as heck won’t be going to Bahrain. Firstly because of the social and moral responsibility we all have. Bahrain is clearly violating human rights, particularly in the field of health care, as trauma victims are being arrested without treatment or are afraid of seeking medical care due to fear of arrest. Medical and even the F1 circuit staff are being arrested and tortured – I think it’s absurd that the WMSC can ‘unanimously’ endorse Bahrain in good conscience.

Secondly, it shows a complete and utter disregard for the many fans who had booked flights and accomodation, and arranged holidays for the planned Indian Grand Prix, who now are left without a race for those planned dates.

Poor form all round, FIA!

This seems like political machinations on the part of the sport’s governing body to blame the teams or the insurers for the eventual canellation of this years’s race, and thereby save face themselves with the Bahrani organisers. Ironically it only serves to reveal that they have no sense of social responsibility, unlike the drivers. Thank you for being among the first to speak out on this Mark.

Well said Mark, couldn’t agree more.

Hi Mark, As a long term Aussie fan I am so impressed by your message to us all re. human rights and taking our soial responsibilities seriously and having the guts to state them on the world stage. Thanks Mark, keep it up, and we are behind you! Tom

Well said Mark, big thumbs up for having the balls to speak your mind on the issue.