F1 | Ecclestone says 2016 Azerbaijan Grand Prix going ahead

Ecclestone, right, president and CEO of Formula One Management, gestures in the paddock ahead the Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix

Formula One commercial chief Bernie Ecclestone says the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will make its debut next season, despite concerns over the country’s human rights record. Known as the Baku European Grand Prix, it is to be held as a street race in the country’s capital, Baku.
A report this year by Human Rights Watch said that there had been a deterioration in the former Soviet Republic state’s record, with more than 30 human rights defenders — including political activists and journalists — convicted or imprisoned.
Speaking ahead of the Bahrain GP, which was canceled in 2011 amid violent clashes after an uprising demanding political reforms, Ecclestone said he did not think there would be any problems. “It’s going to be another good race,” he said.
Earlier this week, the sport’s official website carried a legal notice stating that “The Formula One Group is committed to respecting internationally recognized human rights in its operations globally.”
The Human Right Watch report on Azerbaijan said “the Azerbaijani government escalated repression against its critics, marking a dramatic deterioration in its already poor rights record.”
Asked if the human rights situation in Azerbaijan had been checked out with a view to hosting next year’s race, Ecclestone said “We have” before adding “I think everybody seems to be happy. There doesn’t seem to be any big problem there.” Ecclestone also addresses questions about the worrying decline in the status of iconic European races.
More races are heading to countries in Asia and the Middle East, where government funding can better cover the high hosting fees. Qatar is reportedly very keen on hosting a race, although Ecclestone did not say Sunday whether that is a possibility.
The German GP was erased from the 2015 schedule because of financial problems — and it is uncertain to be held next year — and Ecclestone has not guaranteed the future of Italy’s famed Monza race, which is held outside of Milan in September and is particularly popular with Ferrari fans.
Ecclestone is in ongoing talks with Monza promoters over a new deal, with the current deal set to expire after next year’s race. There is an impasse with promoters urging Ecclestone to lower his prices, but with Ecclestone also in the position of receiving potential offers from other countries keen to host the race and able to afford it.
“We have to wait and see. They don’t have an agreement. Bit like Germany really,” said Ecclestone, who somewhat dismissed the idea that historic races like Monza, Hockenheim and Nuerburgring are too important to be replaced.
“I tell you something, I was told that when we didn’t have a race in France (Magny-Cours). And Germany now,” he said. “We’ve got some good replacements, haven’t we?” Jerome Pugmire, Bahrain, AP

Hamilton wins Bahrain GP

Defending champion Lewis Hamilton won the Bahrain Grand Prix from pole position today (Macau time) to strengthen his overall lead in the Formula One standings with his third win in four races this season and 36th of his career. The British driver started from pole for the first time in the desert race under floodlights and was largely untroubled, finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen and his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg, whose sloppy error with two laps remaining let in Raikkonen.