20/04/2012
NEWS STORY
Amidst safety concerns Force India is to undertake what it describes as "limited running" in today's second free practice session in Bahrain.
Trying to be as diplomatic as possible under the circumstances, following today's opening session at the Sakhir track, the Silverstone outfit's Deputy Team Principal, Robert Fernley, told reporters that his team is to conduct "limited running" in today's second session.
Noticeably, the Indian outfit was the only team to use the softer (option) tyre in this morning's session, and it now appears that this is because it wishes to carry out all its basic work in order that it can leave the track during daylight hours.
Thus far, the Silverstone-based outfit is the only team to have experienced the problems in Bahrain first hand, members of its crew being caught up in a firebombing incident on Wednesday night which, though nobody was injured, resulted in two crew members asking to be allowed to return to the UK.
During the course of today's session, clearly having been notified of the team's intentions, Bernie Ecclestone paid a visit to the Force India garage accompanied by circuit boss Zayed Al Zayani.
Watched by a crowd from the main grandstand which originally consisted of 58 but later swelled to around 150, the Force India cars finished third and sixth quickest this morning.
Whilst giving his full support for the Grand Prix, Fernley said that safety is paramount and that following Wednesday's incident team members have expressed concern about travelling at night.
Meanwhile, as an All Party Parliamentary Group for Democracy in Bahrain continues to call for the race to be cancelled, Sebastian Vettel insists that all is well.
"I haven't seen anyone throwing bombs," he told reporters. "I don't think it's that bad. I think it's a lot of hype."