In recent weeks, the media has been stumbling over themselves to report about even the most minute detail regarding the situation in Bahrain. There are no doubt that there are skirmishes around the capital and other places, we hear daily that police and security forces have clashed with people demanding democratic reforms and much more.
But we cannot be 100% certain that what we hear and what we see is the Godalmighty truth. We have a tendency, at least in the Western world, to trust the media, no matter what. And when the media reports that they have seen this or that, we believe them. Same way as the media is used on the other side of the fence. When independent newspapers or websites claiming that police has killed this many or that many, we tend to believe them too, because afterall we are hoping that the people of Bahrain will soon be able to hold free democratic elections and establish even the most basic human rights.
So it is, that when the government of Bahrain is saying that the safety is in place, that they have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make sure that the drivers, mechanics, team members, caterers, press and media people are safe, we also have a tendency to say “Oh yeah? Really?”
We could point fingers at China, the place where we just last week saw one of the best races in recent memory, won by Nico Rosberg, and with strong performances from a variety of drivers. They are well-known to be imprisoning dissidents or people with a different opinion than the ruling party. Human rights groups have gathered literally libraries after libraries of reports, clearly showing how the human rights in China are being ignored.
Or what about Good Ole US of A? A country that boasts they are the land of the free and home of the brave, where everyone is born equal, unless you have the wrong skin colour. Rascism is still very much pronounced there, and we could even turn our attention to the UK, where we last year saw riots, businesses and private homes burned down.
What I am trying to say is, that yes we should focus on how human rights are being violated in places like Bahrain. And in Syria, Liberia, Democratic Republic of Congo and about 50 other countries, if not more. We should interact with the people fighting, we should see things from a different angle and we should engage. But we should also remember to separate the events, when we need to. Formula One is not a political activist, it is not a body or ruling entity that should or could influence the politics of the countries they visit. F1 should focus on what F1 have been created to do; entertain the masses.
And now to the race.
With three different race winners from the first three races, we could see one of the closest championships in recent memory. And not only are the fight between Vettel, Hamilton and Button, or Alonso, Hamilton, Webber, new drivers are taking big points from the usual front runners, and the usual frontrunners are suddenly no longer automatically front runners.
With Rosberg´s win in China, Mercedes not only showed they have a blindingly fast car, they also showed that their faith in Rosberg and Schumacher, who unfortunately retired on lap 12, have been valid. Rosberg was always considered something of a wild card, he has the speed, did well in training sessions, but then on race day only managed decent places, sometimes even scraping for points. He has come of age now, and is showing a brand new attitude. Much like the Jenson Button post-Honda.
What do we know about Bahrain? Well, for one it´s the most boring and pointless track on the calendar. Secondly, it´s sandy and fecking hot. And thirdly, Fernando Alonso is the most winning driver on the circuit, which were inducted into the calendar in 2004. Despite Alonso winning in Malaysia, I don´t see how he can repeat that here. The track is much more suited the fast Mercedes engines, so a battle for pole between Hamilton, Button and Rosberg, Schumacher is a possibility.
Winning driver? Hamilton. He is back on track and is now absolutely committed to racing. He is smiling, he is waving he is…well, back. Button is also very fast and smooth and I predict a McLaren 1-2 for pole, with Hamilton winning. Button second.
I see Kimi Raikkonen in fourth place, so the last step on the podium could be Schumacher?
Let´s see what happens on Sunday!