Gangs threaten to vandalize Bahrain Grand Prix

Manama, Apr 20 (ANI): Formula One authorities have come under pressure to cancel the Bahrain Grand Prix after gangs threatened to ramp-up their protests ahead of the weekend race.

Anti-government groups in Manama claimed that they will continue to stage their demonstrations in the vicinity of the Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), The Sun reports.

The protests seemed to be gaining momentum, as recently, two key members of the Force India team were sent home after a firebomb landed next to their car and they claimed that they no longer felt safe in the Gulf Kingdom.

"We want to show what is happening here. We are dying on the streets. The race should be cancelled until everyone here gets their human rights," a protester was reported as saying.

Force India team boss Bob Fernley insisted the Silverstone-based team would now up their security measures. "We know there are going to be protests but need to make sure everything is minimised from a team point of view," he said.

He clarified that extra security has been employed to give the racers extra comfort and reassurance.

However, Force India driver Nico Hulkenberg admitted that he was shocked after learning of the incident and argued that team members should not be subjected to such danger.

"Whether it is right or not I don't really know. It's difficult to say. I am not a politician, I am a Formula One driver, but it should not really be happening should it?" Hulkenberg was quoted as saying.

The situations came in contrast to F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone's last week statement, which said that 'there were no protests going on in Bahrain'. (ANI)