I think most people are glad that the Bahrain GP for 2011 is ‘dead in the water’. Although still to receive official confirmation from the FIA, Formula One’s governing body, the rejection of racing on the island by the teams and Bernie Ecclestone’s U-turn will give the Bahrainis greater time for ‘reconciliation’ (even if that involves reconciling ordinary citizens to long prison sentences). There was never going to be any condemnation of the heavy-handed authorities, given that they also race in China and plan to expand F1 to Russia, but at least it delivers a blow to the smoke-filled room deals that so fug the administration of football’s FIFA. FIA president Jean Todt was supposed to owe his election in large part to the ruling dynasty in Bahrain, but now can’t remember if anyone abstained in the ‘unanimous’ decision to reinstate Bahrain for the 2011 season (which isn’t the meaning of unanimous). Ecclestone, meanwhile, emerges with credit, which can’t be said often. He is a hard man and ferocious business competitor but he also cares about his image, as demonstrated by his cooperation with a biography about him.