A group of British MPs have requested that the Bahrain Grand Prix be cancelled, due to concerns about safety for personnel at the event.
Protests coincide with protests against the nation's monarchy began last Friday, and are planned to continue into the weekend.
Last year, the race was deemed safe for F1 personnel by the FIA. However, 2011's meeting was cancelled due to violent protests, where 35 people lost their lives.
A letter sent to F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Democracy in Bahrain said "We request you cancel the Grand Prix."
"It is likely to attract as much negative publicity as last year."
The APPG also wrote to broadcasters, sponsors & teams alike, raising awareness about the potential danger & misfortune in the country during this tense period.
Twenty MPs from various British constituencies signed a letter sent to Ecclestone, again asking to have the race cancelled.
Andy Slaughter, Shadow Justice Minister, said "Last year's race was held under conditions of martial law. Three hundred protesters were arrested, some spending months in jail."
"Since April 2012, many more people including children have lost their lives and the whole country exists in fear and intimidation,"
"I think most democratic-minded people would be appalled if you allowed the Bahrain leg of the Formula 1 championship to go ahead amidst the most atrocious human rights violations."
In 2012, a group of Force India mechanics were reluctantly involved in protests near the capital, Manama. A petrol bomb thrown by protesters hit their car, as anti-monarchy rebels fought against police. This resulted in the team deciding that they would skip a practice session later in the day, so the team could travel to their hotel in daylight.
A series of explosions in the island nation in the past has raised eyebrows regarding security. Although, teams assure that they are prepared, and will operate as normal during the weekend.
The
BBC asked teams whether they are implementing altered security arrangements for the race.
Ferrari: "It is up to the federation [the FIA] to give us any indications as to whether extra precautions need to be taken. So far, no [there's been no decision]."
Red Bull: "The team will be vigilant and take sensible precautions, but otherwise we are approaching this race in the same way we do all races."
Mercedes: "The safety of our employees is our highest priority and we will follow the guidance of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office concerning travel to the region."
McLaren: "The team will be staying very near the circuit, at a hotel that has very good security, and we feel that no extra security measures are therefore necessary for us."
Williams: "We are adhering to our normal security measures in Bahrain and just using usual common sense, nothing more."
Bernie Ecclestone has openly expressed his views. Ecclestone said there is "no reason" why the race cannot go ahead.
"Last year I spoke to the people representing the protesters and I spoke to the people we deal with. It was really difficult to decide who is right and who is wrong."
"We don't want to see trouble. We don't want to see people arguing and fighting about things we don't understand, because we really don't understand. Some people feel it's our fault there are problems."
Bahrain authorities have assured that safety of F1 staff, broadcasters & the crowd, are in their best interests.
"We will ensure appropriate security measures are taken during the F1 race and will take enough measures, as in all other countries which host such international sporting events"
A spokesperson from the protesters said to
Reuters "The race brings money to the regime, which they use to buy weapons and attack us."
"People are getting killed. [But, the government] wants to show that there's nothing wrong in Bahrain,"
It is highly likely that the race will go ahead in Bahrain, neither teams nor management express any doubt.
If you are heading to the race on the 19th, please exercise caution & stay safe!
Image: Huffpost