Damn foreigners! The first F1 race of the year is one of the main signs that winter really will be over sometime.
Formula 1 teams are concerned about the season-opening race in Bahrain in the wake of growing unrest in the country.
This weekend's GP2 Asia event at the Sakhir circuit has been cancelled after at least three people were killed overnight in clashes with police.
Virgin Racing team boss John Booth told BBC Sport: "It's obviously very disturbing and there is concern - that ramped up with the latest disturbance."
F1 insiders have admitted the race on 13 March could be at risk.
And BBC Sport understands that teams are already considering whether to go ahead with the final pre-season test, which is due to be held in Bahrain from 3-6 March.
It does give you a lot of concerns but if we're informed it's safe to go, we'll go
John Booth
Virgin team principal
It could be moved to Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya if the unrest continues.
Booth said he would be led by F1 commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone's FOM company, motorsport governing body the FIA and the Bahraini authorities on whether his team travel to the race.
"If the local government, the FIA and FOM say it's safe to go, we'll go," he said.
"They will have people on the ground assessing the situation and they will be well informed on the risks.
"It does give you a lot of concerns but if we're informed it's safe to go, we'll go."
more at
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/9400392.stm
