F1 will not bow to terrorism: Schumacher

Michael Schumacher today insisted Formula One must not bow to the threat of terrorism and has no qualms about travelling to Bahrain next month.

Following the recent terrorist attacks in Madrid and Baghdad, safety and security issues surrounding the maiden Bahrain Grand Prix have once again become a significant concern.

The British Foreign Office warns that Bahrain faces a “high risk of terrorism” particularly in places where westerners might gather.

But Schumacher believes the global threat of terrorism means Bahrain is no more dangerous a venue for Formula One to visit than anywhere else, perhaps less so.

“If you look in history how many times and where attacks have been – it can be any time, any place,” he said today. “What do you do? Are we safe here now (in Kuala Lumpur)?

“You must do whatever you feel you have to do and whatever you feel is right to do.

“I am pretty sure Bahrain will be one of the more safe places because their safety measures will be very high.

“It is a very important event for their country and they will take all measures to make sure nothing will happen.”

Schumacher’s view has been echoed strongly by Eddie Jordan and fellow team principal Paul Stoddart, of Minardi, whose dealings in the airline business makes him all too aware of the terrorist threat.

“At the moment the risk is, as it is with many other countries, considerable,” he said.

“We live in an age where, sadly since 9/11, terrorism is a real threat. I think we are all very responsible people in the way we look at our security and the way we take precautions – but we should not target out any single country.

“We are at risk anywhere in the world, that is the sad fact of the age we live in, post-9/11. I think Formula One proved when it went to Indianapolis so shortly after 9/11 that we are a sporting community that is not going to allow politics and world events of that kind to interfere with the sport.

“But we are also responsible people and we take necessary precautions.”

Jordan was at a loss to understand why the prospect of visiting Bahrain invokes such fear.

“I have been to Bahrain three times in the last couple of months and I don’t think you could find a more peaceful, homely place,” he said.

“Now, I think you may be talking about a major event and the opportunity, so whatever applies anywhere, so I’m at a loss as to how these things are actually worked out. It’s a confusing situation. I can only say from my personal experience I would be staggered if anyone had the slightest hesitation about going to Bahrain.”

Fernando Alonso will wear an armband in memory of those who died in the Madrid bombings. “There would be no better time to win,” he said.