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Summary Formula One cars take to the track in Bahrain with government hoping for a successful grand prix.
While activists are promising to mark it with days of rage after more than a year of Arab Spring protests, Formula One cars take to the track in Bahrain on Friday.On the eve of the first practice session, protests flared in villages surrounding the capital, far from the circuit where the race will be held. Police fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators in clashes that have been building in the week leading to Sundays round of the World Championship.Bahrain has been in turmoil since a democracy movement erupted last year following uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. Protests were initially crushed with the loss of dozens of lives, but youths still clash daily with riot police with thousands take part in opposition rallies.Two members of the British-based Force India team, travelling between Bahrain International Circuit and their hotel in Manama, asked to go home after seeing burning petrol bombs in what the government described as an isolated incident.However, activists accused the kingdoms rulers of using the motor race to improve their international image.Formula One in Bahrain has been taken as PR for the ruling elite, the repressive dictators who are ruling the country, activist Nabeel Rajab told a news conference.
