The Bahrain Grand Prix is a controversial subject. The race was originally scheduled to be the season opener but civil unrest in the middle east caused the race to be postponed without a date. Last week the World Motor Sport Council of the FIA decided that the Grand Prix could be held this year, despite calls from human rights activists to cancel the event. Mark Webber is the first of the drivers to comment on the situation after the decision was made to proceed with the race this year: "My opinion is unchanged since I was first asked about this in late February. Even though a decision has been made, I'll be highly surprised if the Bahrain Grand Prix goes ahead this year."

He explains why he is displeased: "In my personal opinion, the sport should have taken a much firmer stance earlier this year rather than constantly delaying its decision in hope of being able to re-schedule it in 2011. It would have sent a very clear message about F1’s position on something as fundamental as human rights and how it deals with moral issues." Webber says that it is too soon after the unrest: "It’s obvious that the parties involved have struggled to reach a decision but sadly I feel that they still haven’t made the right one. Like it or not, F1 and sport in general isn’t above having a social responsibility and conscience. I hope F1 is able to return to Bahrain eventually but now isn’t the right time."

The Aussie says he is uncomfortable that his sport is a source of tension within a country: "As a competitor I do not feel at all comfortable going there to compete in an event when, despite reassurances to the contrary, it seems inevitable that it will cause more tension for the people of that country. I don’t understand why my sport wishes to place itself in a position to be a catalyst for that."