According to Bernard...

[markfarrell9572]

Bahrain paid its hosting fee of $25m for the 2011 race despite not hosting a race and Bernard offering to give the money back.  If Mr E is being truthful (which isn't always the case) then why would the Bahrainis not accept the money back? $25m is a lot of money.

[John S]

If they paid in Euros who'd want them back at the moment?   

[Jericoke]

Bahrain paid its hosting fee of $25m for the 2011 race despite not hosting a race and Bernard offering to give the money back.  If Mr E is being truthful (which isn't always the case) then why would the Bahrainis not accept the money back? $25m is a lot of money.

1.  It might trigger some sort of clause in the contract that isn't beneficial long term, such as larger fees in the future, or complete renegotiation.

2.  If things are still in unrest in Bahrain, there's probably nowhere safer to keep money than in Bernie's vaults.  Who wants the money back if next week the proletariat seizes the treasury?

3.  How can you be a despot of a wealthy nation and then be seen to care about a paltry $25m?  What would the other despots think?!

[Scott]

Yeah, I bet it's something to do with the contract - if they opt out of this year, they probably lose their future rights to hold a GP, which considering the building costs of Yas Marina (oops, mixing up my middle eastern racetracks) the BIC will cost them plenty more down the road.

[Alianora La Canta]

4) I've heard rumours that Bahrain is getting a WEC race as compensation for the "lost" F1 race, in which case they may not be in a position to claim their money back unless the WEC event also falls off the calender. There is no way Bahrain would get a WEC race otherwise, and if the event is a success that could lead to Bahrian having the premier sportscar and single-seater series in its territory on a consistent basis, despite Dubai having arguably a better track. One sportscar race isn't worth $25m, but the implied ongoing impression of being the place to race in the Middle East could be worth several times that "investment".

The sportscar fraternity is, to say the least, upset at the possibility.

[cosworth151]

This is why I dreaded the FIA getting its claws into the ILMS.