So wait... No one complaining about Russia holding a GP?

[PlatinumZealot]

After the obvious act of terrorism recently and other Human rights atrocities by Mother Russia No one is complaining about them hosting the Russian GP? hmm? I myself do not feel that Politics should decide where Formula 1 goes or where it doesn't, but there were quite a few loud voices when F1 was going to Bahrain after the civil unrest there. Now there is not even a peep from those corners on the Russian GP. Again for me, I have no connections to Bahrain and it doesn't matter where F1 goes as I just want to see the racing but It's just so interesting that Russia, for whatever reason is OK with these folks who were lambasting Bernie for keeping the Bahrain GP online are not saying anything right now. Is it only me noticing this? Or is there something I don't know??

[Lycoming]

Maybe because the civil unrest is in Ukraine, not Russia.

[basti313]

Is it only me noticing this?

No. Bernie noticed it also, but he follows the money...

Or is there something I don't know??

I do not know, what you know, but maybe you missed something:
The USA have an opinion in the Ukraine civil war. They had no opinion in Bahrain. The problem now is, that powerful left-wing or socialistic groups have to indulge their anti-Americanism first before they can take a side in this conflict. Taking a side for human rights there would mean to collaborate with the USA or Russia. But taking the side of Russia in the sense of human rights is also a bit weird. This is why we do not hear anything on this...in Europe everyone tries to avoid this issue...

[zgred]

Like I’ve said, we don’t get involved in politics. We have a contract with them, which we know they will respect. And we will do the same.

Source: Bernie Ecclestone: No doubts over Russian GP after MH17 tragedy

[strad]

Money trumps morality in F1

[iotar__]

Money trumps ethics everywhere (not a hippy ). I'd like to see numbers of casualties of ongoing Iraq war, including civilians, I'm guessing many thousands, people that left, people that live below any civilisation standards, etc. The only difference is one part is packaged and sold better, there are no white gloves wars so I don't see any difference whatsoever between every single American GP and this one in Sochi. One doesn't make the other OK of course but if you easily accept one don't lament the other.

Same as I don't see any difference between bombing civilians by Nato in Pakistan or Afghanistan by accident and shooting a plane over Ukraine.

[SectorOne]

Money trumps morality in F1

When they feel like it yes.
We went to Bahrain during unrest.
We even visited a country multiple times that decided to invade another country through lies and deceit.
The very same country can be considered a nation of war as that is what they have been doing for many many years non stop.

And now we are faced with another one where pro-russians, possibly in collaboration with the Russian military accidentally shot down the wrong aircraft. (Some telephone calls have surfaced that are believed to be rebels and russian military officials discussing the plane they shot down)

We go to a another country where you could question human rights as well.

So they deal with morality when they feel like it or when the western world thinks it´s the right thing to do from their perspective. (which is mainly to promote their own agenda rather then actually worrying about people).

[GitanesBlondes]

Money trumps morality in F1

F1 in another era stopped running at Kyalami because of apartheid and the international pressure that was put on any organization thinking of running a sporting event in South Africa.

Of course now as Bahrain proved, along with countless other things, that F1 at large has zero qualms about accepting blood money, and lending prestige to autocrats and dictators in third world countries if the price is right.

[mep]

Whats wrong with Russia?
Any good arguments for not going there?

[GitanesBlondes]

Whats wrong with Russia?
Any good arguments for not going there?

Let's see...

Human rights violations is reason enough.

[strad]

I don't think we are now discussing the wag the dog BS in the Ukraine but rather the murderous shooting down of that airliner in which Russia is complicit

[xpensive]

Money trumps morality in F1

What else is new, many of the new F1 races takes place in countries with rather unpleasant regimes, China for one.

But Putin's xpansionistic politics are pretty scary, it's like the 30s all over again why the Sochi race should be stopped.

[iotar__]

I don't think we are now discussing the wag the dog BS in the Ukraine but rather the murderous shooting down of that airliner in which Russia is complicit

No, the discussion is whether murderous shooting of civilians or human right violations by Russia, USA or Bahrain warrants any action by FIA/FOM/F1 public.

From the past experience I didn't notice any, only small demonstration by FI for which it was punished by not showing its cars in qualifying. Ecclestone thought these were the 70s and if something is not on TV it doesn't exist, not the opposite it draws attention.

[AnthonyG]

Whats wrong with Russia?
Any good arguments for not going there?

Let's see...

Human rights violations is reason enough.

Then you should also protest the British GP, American GP and probably a host of other GP's...

[bhall II]

Don't worry, guys. Sources have confirmed to Joe Saward that everything is A-OK. This whole thing is just an elaborate ruse designed to sell newspapers. So, there's nothing to worry about; it's all fine and dandy.