Another theory about Force India’s absence from a practice session in Bahrain last weekend has emerged.

Word has it the Silverstone based team sat out the second session on Friday because staff were spooked by a Molotov cocktail incident and didn’t want to be returning to their hotels in darkness.

Officially, Force India said the decision to skip a practice session was for “logistical reasons”.

“None of the other teams seem to have a problem,” said Bernie Ecclestone last weekend. “Maybe (it’s) nothing to do with being in this country, maybe it’s something else.”

An event summary by Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport said: “There are rumours that Force India wanted to save its engines because they are short on cash.”

The team’s Bahrain crisis was handled by deputy chief Bob Fernley, in the absence of owner and principal Vijay Mallya.

Indeed, Indian Mallya does seem to have bigger problems, with the latest reports indicating he is considering selling 26 per cent of his flagship spirits company in order to rescue his dying airline Kingfisher.

A spokesman for JM Financial, representing Mallya, dismissed the suggestion as “factually incorrect and speculative”.

With the F1 world now returned from Bahrain, the sport is assessing the fallout of one of the most controversial grands prix in history.

The drivers were conspicuously quiet over the saga in the island Kingdom, but – with no contract tying him down – former Force India driver Adrian Sutil admitted he was glad he was not there.

“In a situation like that, it is probably better not to go,” the German said on Sky Deutschland.

“On the one hand, the decision was made (to go to Bahrain), on the other hand, it’s very difficult when there are so many problems in a country.”

Red Bull reserve driver Sebastien Buemi, who has family living in Bahrain, does not agree at all.

“I arrived on Monday and I had no problem — maybe there were a few more police than two years ago, but nothing happened to me,” the Swiss insisted on Austrian Servus TV.

Force India and Sauber, however, witnessed Molotov cocktail attacks on their treks to and from the circuit.

And Caterham team spokesman Tom Webb told the Sun that there was “one minor incident when one of our (hire) vans slowed down in traffic and its occupants saw a local youth on the side of the main road brandishing a bottle with a rag stuffed in its neck”.

World champion and race winner Sebastian Vettel also admitted the feeling was tense in the paddock throughout the weekend.

“It was not easy for anyone,” the Red Bull driver admitted, according to SID news agency, “but I’m glad that nothing happened to any of us (in F1).”

And the Telegraph quotes Vettel adding: “Hopefully, we come back in the future when everything’s a little bit safer.”

Reuters reports that Vodafone, the main sponsor of the half Bahrain-owned McLaren team, sent no staff to the country and expressed concerns to the British outfit.

But Jim Wright, an F1 sponsorship expert, told the Guardian that he thinks while the sport’s image took a beating last weekend, sponsors will be happy.

“Most teams handled a difficult decision very well,” he said. “On that basis I think a lot of people would be pleased with that and happy to get involved with them.”

The television audience was also unaffected – even boosted – with the BBC reporting more viewers for Bahrain than Australia and Malaysia, and Germany revealing similarly strong figures.

Still, there remains criticism.

“Now is an opportunity to reflect,” former F1 driver Alex Zanardi told Tuttosport, “and make sure that major sporting events are assigned only to governments that deserve the honour of hosting them.

“Ecclestone is brilliant and has made formula one what it is, but he can’t administer races at any cost and above all else,” insisted the Italian.

Due to security fears, Force India sat out a practice session on Friday so that staff could return to their hotels in daylight.

F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone was reportedly enraged, and according to rumours got his revenge by instructing Formula One Management’s television cameras to ignore the Silverstone based team’s cars in qualifying.

“There was a bit of fuss about what we did,” deputy team principal Bob Fernley is quoted by Spain’s AS newspaper, “and it was not easy, but I think it turned out to be the right response.

“We had a lot of pressure, our attitude was not well received,” he confirmed, “but I think that we had a duty of care to our employees, and to do the right thing by the team.”

Force India on Friday will run a shortened second practice session in Bahrain.

The BBC reports that staff members, some of whom were caught up in a Molotov cocktail attack earlier this week, want to pack up early in order to avoid travelling back to their hotels in darkness.

Deputy team boss Bob Fernley confirmed to Reuters that Nico Hulkenberg and Paul di Resta will therefore run limited second practice programmes, and may skip the session altogether.

Other reports quote him as saying Force India will however take part in qualifying and the race.

Respected British commentator and former grand prix driver Martin Brundle, however, thinks the island Kingdom has “never looked better”.

“Clearly, there is some trouble out there,” he told Sky, “but I’ve not seen any of it.

“Some journalists have gone looking for it and unfortunately the trouble found Force India.

“My view is this: F1 can’t run away from this,” Brundle insisted.

Force India might skip Friday’s second practice session in Bahrain.

Two of the Silverstone based team’s staff members returned to the UK earlier this week after a Molotov cocktail incident.

The BBC is reporting rumours that other members are the team are now refusing to travel from the circuit back to their hotels after dark.

That would mean Paul di Resta and Nico Hulkenberg will not be able to practice in the second 90 minute session scheduled for 2pm local.

The BBC said the rumour ties in with Force India’s drivers unusually running soft tyres in the initial practice session on Friday.

And F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone called the team’s deputy principal Bob Fernley off the pitwall during the initial practice session for talks.

Force India said it “wouldn’t want to comment”.

The F1 world can expect a much better experience at the Korean grand prix this weekend.

When the barely-finished Yeongham venue hosted its inaugural race a year ago, officials, drivers, team members and journalists bemoaned the sub-standard facilities and organisation.

Another bone of contention was the so-called ‘love motels’ accommodation, normally frequented by prostitutes and their clients.

“Last year, we had many difficult problems holding the very first Korean grand prix,” race chairman Park Joon-yung told the local JoongAng daily.

“However, based on the experience and knowledge we gained last year, I am confident that the event this year will be much improved.”

The early reports from those checking into their hotels and arriving at the circuit this week is that the situation in Korea this year is vastly improved.

“We’re hoping for a slightly easier race this year than last. 2010 was very difficult for a number of reasons,” said FIA race director Charlie Whiting.

The weather should also be much better this weekend, after torrential rain disrupted last October’s inaugural race.

Fernando Alonso believes Ferrari’s rivals are “trying to divert attention” from their own problems by playing psychological games in the media.

With just two races still to run in 2010 and Alonso leading the championship, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner this week admitted it would be “frustrating” to lose to the Spaniard after the Hockenheim team orders affair.

Stefano Domenicali hit back by suggesting it is a “miracle” the energy drink-owned team has not already wrapped up the title due to its car advantage, and his driver Alonso has now weighed into the squabble.

“There are some favourite teams, who have not resolved their own problems, trying to divert attention,” he said in an interview with Diario Sport newspaper.

“Fortunately for us, we are united as a team, as we show at each race, including my relationship with Felipe (Massa),” added Alonso.

“There are always media strategies designed to make you nervous or put you under pressure,” he said.

In another interview, with the O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper, Alonso insisted he is not concerned that – as he bids to wrap up his third championship this weekend – his personal image within Brazil is not the best one.

“In several countries they say my image is not good, but when I land at airports or go to the hotels or race tracks, what I see is the opposite.

“I’m not worried about it. My job is to get results at the track and to have the team happy with my work,” Alonso added.

He said he hopes his teammate Massa’s home supporters at Interlagos will understand if the Brazilian pulls aside to let him win the race on Sunday.

“Those who will understand know that this sport is complicated, where at least at Ferrari, the team comes first. There will of course be those who don’t understand,” said Alonso.

“But my job is not to understand the views of the fans, but to do my job on the track.”

He denied that Massa is the weakest teammate he has ever had.

“No. Felipe is very capable, 100 per cent professional, working from January to December on his goals,” said Alonso.

Before arriving in Korea, Bernie Ecclestone visited the site of next year’s inaugural Indian grand prix.

According to local reports, the F1 chief executive gave the facility 40 kilometres from Delhi a thumbs-up, despite the recent international criticism of the Indian capital’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games.

“Very, very happy,” he told journalists.  “Much better than I thought.

“I have no fears about the circuit.  After the Commonwealth Games, silly people said ‘be careful’ but I’m so happy about the progress of work.

“It is going to be much better than many tracks,” added the 79-year-old.

Ecclestone countered reports that the airport will struggle with F1-levels of flow, or that the local infrastructure will not cope with the traffic.

“The only thing left is more hotels coming up in surrounding areas,” he insisted.

The Briton blamed the media for the negative hype about Delhi’s hosting of the Commonwealth Games, and pointed out that “different people” are organising the F1 event.

“I will come back if necessary but I don’t think it will be necessary before (the 2011 race in) October.  These people are quite capable, and I don’t see any problem,” said Ecclestone.

Ecclestone arrived at Korea’s new F1 circuit on Thursday.

Organisers of this weekend’s inaugural Korean grand prix have scattered cement dust in places around the new Yeongam layout, as the newly-laid asphalt surface continues to seep oil as it cures.

But Karun Chandhok – the only man to have completed a lap of the 5.62km layout in a formula one car – insists the circuit will be safe enough to host the race.

“I don’t think for one second that it will be disastrous,” the Indian driver told the Telegraph.  “A lot of the rumours have been inaccurate.”

In its official event preview, the Italian team Toro Rosso also urged the F1 world not to “panic” as it makes the long trek from Europe to the Jeollanam-do province.

There are concerns about the incomplete track facilities, food, hotels, access roads, organised crime in the local area and the proximity to the rogue North Korea.

“Our advice to you is don’t panic and make the most of the experience,” said the team.

But Swiss driver Sebastien Buemi is hoping the experience is not just enjoyed by F1.

“The key question will be if the people know enough about formula one to want to attend the race,” said the Swiss.

One piece of good news from the nearby port city Mokpo, about 400 kilometres south of the capital Seoul, is that three days of mostly dry weather is being forecast.

But the sport’s travelling circus is still bracing for a difficult event.  To start, Williams team manager Dickie Stanford has told his troops to be ready for a seven-hour bus ride from the capital to Yeongam.

“From a driver’s perspective the most important thing is that the tarmac lasts,” said Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld.

Nico Rosberg also said he hopes “the asphalt holds up”, and reigning world champion Jenson Button admitted he expects “a few unexpected issues” in Korea.

But 2010 points leader Mark Webber is sanguine.

“We all have to go there, see the track and get on with the job — it’s the same for everyone,” said the Australian.

Despite rubbishing the paddock rumours only hours earlier, Bernie Ecclestone has now admitted he is concerned the inaugural Korean grand prix might not take place next month.

Earlier in Singapore, the F1 chief executive said he and the FIA were “happy” with the Yeongam circuit, despite it not yet passing its final inspection that was originally due to take place weeks ago.

“It’s not good. It should have been inspected maybe six weeks ago,” he told BBC pundit Eddie Jordan during an interview on Sunday.

“It was inspected but it wasn’t passed,” added the Briton.

Ecclestone admitted that delaying the inspection so late – with it now set to take place after the forthcoming Japanese grand prix – was unusual for a new circuit.

The post-Suzuka inspection means F1′s freight will already be en route to Korea, while the travelling circus will have needed to book air fares and hotels.

“It’s quite dangerous what we’ve done actually but it’s a case of ‘do we cancel the race or not?’ They say it’s all going to be OK, so we hope they are right,” Ecclestone said.

In another interview on Sunday, Ecclestone told the Associated Press F1 will be “lucky” to avoid turning into a three-race dash to the Abu Dhabi finale.

“Until it’s on there’s always concerns, obviously,” he said when asked about Korea.

“We have to get lucky and hope it will happen.”

Rumours persist that this weekend’s grand prix will be the last in Turkey.

Since the Istanbul Park venue hosted its first race in 2005, the layout – featuring the now famous Turn 8 – has received widespread praise.

But spectator numbers have been conspicuously low.  “It’s an enormous market in Turkey.  Eventually they will get themselves sorted out,” F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone said earlier this year.

But the German newspaper Die Welt now reports that the track, managed by Ecclestone, is too far from the city and on the wrong side of the Bosphorus strait, causing long and frustrating rides from hotels through thick traffic.

“The rumours are getting louder that the fastest circus in the world will no longer make the journey to Istanbul,” read the report.

(GMM)

Nico Rosberg said he will never again bring his own motor home to Istanbul.

Finland’s Turun Sanomat said the Mercedes driver is the only member of the F1 grid not to be staying in local hotels this weekend.

It means he can avoid the notoriously bad Turkish traffic jams.

But German Rosberg said: “It’s definitely the last time I do it.

“The transporting charges are too high compared to the benefits gained,” he admitted.

(GMM)