Letters to Bernie

I’d like to thank you for your momentous support that you have shown our tiny little island, and for your understanding and righteous decision to trust our government.

I would like to reassure you as a Bahraini citizen and Formula One fan that the people of Bahrain do support our government, contrary to the distorted image the media is portraying to the world. You have been to Bahrain and have met our leadership and can tell what kind of people they are yourself. The Bahraini people are very eager to have their Grand Prix back as soon as possible, and I hope it could be fitted in without causing too much trouble.

I’ve never seen this many Bahraini people supporting F1 which is lovely to see. I’m sure if the event goes on this year we will see many more people attending. It’s also worth mentioning, the weather will also be amazing in November. Hope we hear some good news soon. Thank you again for standing by us. - Lulwa Ali.

You showed your greatness when you scraped the fees for the F1 race earlier this year. At that time you said you did not want to stab His Majesty King Hamad in the back.

We are looking for that greatness once again – give Bahrain a chance and you won’t regret it. Thanks to our wise leadership and our security forces we are back safer, stronger and wiser than ever before. And, we are all raring to see the drivers in action. - Shama Abbas.

Bahrain has been through a lot of bad times this year, but we came out of it. We were never more ready to face the world than now and we will do anything and everything in our power to make all our visitors here feel safe, secure and so welcome that next year they will be the ones forcing you to hold the event in Bahrain as soon as possible. Please bring the F1 back to Bahrain. - Safa G.M. Abdulla.

We agree that circumstances did not permit the original date for the Formula One. But there is no better time than now. Bahrain needs you and Bahrain needs the F1. Things are back to normal but we won’t feel 100 per cent normal until the F1 comes back to Bahrain. - Aves Khan.

Please bring back the F1 to help bring the economy back on track and also the tourists back to Bahrain. - Praneel Shah.

In your own words at the first Bahrain Grand Prix (2004): ‘Bahrain has one of the MOST state-of-the art and technologically-advanced Formula One circuits’. It still is. So, just bring the F1 back to Bahrain’s modern circuit and let the country take care of the rest. Let’s show the world that sports can’t be affected by politics. - Guraz Wankadia.

Bahrain is ready and more than willing to host the 2011 F1 ... Please come back! - Kevin Craig.

Yes , indeedy, please Bernie. Bahrain’s been through a lot and all Bahrainis have been having a hard time of it one way or another, especially businesses. The kingdom was a great host before and it can be again. And I’m not even really into F1! - J. Talbot.

The kingdom is ready, willing and able to welcome drivers, teams and race fans from across the globe to the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2011. - Dana Buheji.

Please reschedule the cancelled F1 race in Bahrain to later this year. The unrest is over and there is enough security to handle any unlikely, unpleasant surprises. I remember reading something in one of my history books about a race in Argentina during similar circumstances back in late 1970s or early 1980s without any major problems. - Ian Graves.

We are READY ... STEADY, just give us the GO! - Beverley West.