Formula One returned to Bahrain amid anti - government protests . Read more : Is Bahrain serious about reform ? `` Many people in Bahrain no longer see Formula One as a sport , but as an organization which supports a repressive regime , '' said a protest group comprised of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights , the Bahrain Press Association , the Bahrain Youth Society for Human Rights and the Campaign Against Arms Trade . FIA president Jean Michel says the sport 's return to Bahrain can have a ` ` healing effect '' Some protesters say the race is a chance to raise awareness of the country 's political plight . Other human rights groups have called for the race to be canceled .
Formula One returned to Bahrain amid anti - government protests . FIA president Jean Michel says the sport 's return to Bahrain can have a ` ` healing effect '' Some protesters say the race is a chance to raise awareness of the country 's political plight . Other human rights groups have called for the race to be canceled .