The 2011 Bahrain Grand Prix was cancelled on 21 February 2011 due to civil unrest at the request of Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Bahrain Motor Federation. The FIA World Motor Sport Council then attempted to reinstate the race for an October date, but this effort failed. Later, a provisional calendar for the 2012 season was released, reinstating the Bahrain Grand Prix with a November date. However, a second provisional calendar released in July brought the race forward to 22 April. This revised date was confirmed with the release of the final season calendar in December 2011.
In January 2012, human rights groups in Bahrain urged teams to boycott the 2012 race amid ongoing conflict. The February 14 Youth Coalition wrote to Bernie Ecclestone, threatening to take action to ensure the failure of the race if it went ahead. Ecclestone expressed confidence that event organisers would manage any opposition without resorting to force.
On 28 March 2012, Ecclestone confirmed the event would proceed. Four days later, protesters revived their campaign, with police dispersing demonstrations in Abu Saiba and Tubli. Activists used Twitter to attempt to cancel the event. Circuit chairman Zayed al-Zayani stated the race would bring economic benefits to the region, rejecting claims that the government was trying to mislead the international community.
During preparations for the Chinese Grand Prix, Zayed al-Zayani referenced a report commissioned by Lotus F1. The report predicted protests would be limited to peaceful demonstrations. John Yates, former Assistant Commissioner to the London Metropolitan Police Service and advisor to the Bahrain Ministry of the Interior, supported this assessment.
The 2012 Bahrain Grand Prix organisers promoted the race under the slogan UNIF1ED — One Nation In Celebration. Commentators noted this campaign appeared to have a political tone.
Several British Members of Parliament called for the race’s cancellation. The Labour Party appealed to British drivers Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, and Paul di Resta to boycott the race. Several sponsors, including Royal Dutch Shell, Vodafone, and UBS, chose not to use the race for client entertainment. Corporate hospitality agencies also withdrew, with some reporting a downturn in business of up to eighty percent.
The first team members arrived in Bahrain on 17 April amid reports that sixty Shi'ite protest leaders had been arrested. Teams took additional security precautions. Agence France-Presse reported that their journalists and photographers faced access issues, with several foreign journalists experiencing delayed visas.
On 18 April, a hire car used by Force India mechanics was involved in a petrol bombing incident, though no injuries or damage occurred. The team members had been travelling in an unmarked car and were held up by a roadblock. Reports indicated the mechanics were exposed to tear gas fired by security forces nearby.
Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa stated that the race was vital to Bahrain's future. A protester was killed in clashes with police on the Friday before the race. Hacktivist community Anonymous launched “Operation Bahrain”, threatening to attack the Formula One website.
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