I make no apology to return to the subject of Bahrain. Bernie is living a Fools' Paradise if he thinks that the race will be without incident. Leading members of the Bahraini opposition are talking in terms of Bernie siding with the torturers. That is not conciliatory talk.

Motor racing has had to deal with some pretty unsavoury governments in the past, but no race has become as politicised as Bahrain. The circuit and the rights to the Grand Prix are owned by the Crown Prince. Regardless of how progressive he is as an individual, and I believe him to be relatively progressive, he is a symbol of an oppressive regime.

Many of us will regard Amnesty International as an honest organisation. It has applied for visas to Bahrain for delegates, open and above board.

The Bahraini government, which spends (wastes) millions with PR companies, has offered weekday visas on account that it is at the weekend when most trouble occurs. This, note, is the official response. The Bahraini government will permit observers only at certain times.

Amnesty has rejected the offer of five-day visas.

I am not sure what counts in Bahrain as a 'weekend'. The day when most Muslims attend a mosque is Friday. A Grand Prix meeting takes place, Friday to Sunday. Cut it as you will, a Grand Prix includes part of anyone's definition of a weekend.

The Bahraini authorities use tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters. Amnesty International is free to visit on those days when this is not happening as much as it does at weekends, but it still happens every day.

The good news for people wishing to visit the Grand Prix is that there will be no restriction on their visas. An international agency which is widely admired and is apolitical is restricted, but there is no constraint on people spending money. It is good to know that they have their priorities right.

Anyone thinking of going might consider the following. On 27th February, 2012, the following story was posted by the AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA.co). The translation has odd punctuation, spelling and syntax, but the message is clear, 'Senior Bahrain opposition leader Saeed Shehabi Twitted that the EU has failed to stand up to its obligations towards its tortured citizens.

'He also criticized those who are ready to please torturers by holding F1 in Bahrain. Their racing cars will be fueled with martyr's blood.'

'If F1 is held in Bahrain, the organisers will witness the most sour experience of their life as Bahrainis will ensure total F1 failure.'