By Daniel Ortelli

MANAMA, Apr 20, 2012 (AFP) - In the Formula One bubble of the Sakhir circuit on the outskirts of the capital, protected by police in white and black armoured 4x4 cars, are the hundreds of amateur fans for whom the Bahrain Grand Prix is like an oasis in the desert.

"All places in the main stand (10,500 seats) have been sold which shows that the race is welcomed by many people at all levels of society. But often in this type of situation the voice of the majority is not heard," said McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh.

During the second free practice session on Friday, a day of prayer in Bahrain like all Muslim countries, groups of spectators - men in white and women in black - avidly watch the multi-coloured procession of cars, under the mindful gaze of race stewards ready to raise the yellow or red flag in case of any incident.

But despite tension in the paddock after incidents in which two teams were caught up close to clashes between protesters and the police, there is widespread agreement that the race which was first held in 2004 but cancelled last year, should go ahead.

"Formula One is very important for Bahrain and for us as well, on a personal level, because our passion has always been the race, the cars, and all that goes with it," Sadiq Al Kalawadh, coordinator of some 900 stewards and paramedics, told AFP.

"We represent Bahrain, there are Shias, Sunnis, and even Christians and Hindus. We never talk about politics, we're here for sport, on our own time."

The stewards, who are volunteers working on their own time, spend three days under the glare of the sun with earplugs as high-powered cars, boasting the most advanced technology, speed by at up to 300 km/h driven by well-paid drivers.

"We love Formula One and the Grand Prix is a very exciting for us," explained Sadiq, who is employed full-time by race sponsor Gulf Air.

"Last year, because that started (the troubles), people tried to be careful, hence the Grand Prix cancellation. Since then things have calmed down, it's more stable, and Formula One has to come back.

"It's good for our economy, it makes hotels work, car hire, and if we don't have any F1 for two or three years it will no longer return to Bahrain."

Despite the tension, and calls by British politicians for the race to cancelled, Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa insisted it was important, and positive, that the event go ahead.

"I think cancelling just empowers extremists," the prince said.

"I think for those of us who are trying to navigate a way out of this political problem, having the race allows us to build bridges across communities, and get people working together.

"It allows us to celebrate our nation as an idea that is positive, not one that is divisive. So I actually think that having the race has prevented extremists from doing what they think they need to do out of the world's attention."

He added: "We are a real country with real issues and we hope that you get a chance (to see us) for all our complexities and all our shades. I genuinely believe that this race is a force for good."

Bahraini politician Dr Jasim Husain, former head of the country's main opposition group, Al-Wefaq, also expressed his support for the event.

"Most people in Bahrain are happy that F1 is back in Bahrain," said Dr Husain, "given its effects on the economy and social aspects, and see this as a sporting and economic event, rather as a political issue.

"Protests are definitely going to take place, we've been having protests before the event, and we're going to have them during and afterwards, but there's no connection."

"If F1 was not here they would still be going on."

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