Security should not be an issue if the Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead While protests and violence have escalated in the last few days against the F1 race taking place, they are geographically isolated from Manama, and certainly from the Bahrain International Circuit, a 40-minute drive south away from the city. The most volatile of the areas are located to the west and east of the capital and nightly protests remain inside these villages. Contrary to reports, Manama is probably one of the safer places in Bahrain. Images and videos posted online are taken from the villages, and should not be used to determine what life is currently like for most people in Bahrain - in fact, it is relatively tranquil and steady - with daily long traffic jams, insane driving tactics and accidents causing the most irritation. There is the danger is that protesters will step up their tactics even more before the race, and, if Monday's attack on seven policemen with a homemade incendiary bomb is anything to go by, we could expect a lot worse than the nightly tyre burning and road blocks. However, the protesters are not fighting the teams or the Formula One governing body, rather the Bahraini government which has spent so much time and money on an event that, in its eyes, will go on no matter what. A cancellation of the race would be crippling for a weakened economy in dire need of the millions of dollars due to be generated from the event, and to a dispirited population, most of whom look to the F1 as a crucial morale boost. So what will the teams experience should they come? Large traffic jams, the strange sensation of tear gas if the wind is in the right direction, and possibly black plumes of smoke as tyres are burnt in protest. If they decide to cancel on moral grounds, then few would disagree with them. However, if security is the main reason for pulling out, and potentially losing Bahrain's status as a F1 host, then this could be a catalyst for far worse things to come.