LONDON -- The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for April despite trouble on the first anniversary of the uprising on the Gulf island.

At least 40 people have been killed during a year of unprecedented political unrest in Bahrain, and police fired tear gas Tuesday at protesters to pre-empt large demonstrations against the country's Sunni rulers.

That prompted renewed uncertainty about whether the 2012 Formula One race can go ahead after unrest led to last season's grand prix being canceled.

But FIA, the governing body of Formula One, is insistent that the event will go ahead April 22.

"The FIA, like many in the diplomatic community in the kingdom ... believes the staging of a grand prix would be beneficial in bridging some of the difficulties Bahrain is experiencing," the governing body said Wednesday. "The FIA is not in a position to influence political matters in a sovereign country such as Bahrain and we can only wish for a long-term peaceful solution.

"A number of reforms have been enacted, others are going through legislation. We warmly welcome this, as does the motor sport community which we represent."

F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone dismissed Tuesday's anniversary protests as "a lot of kids having a go at the police."

"I don't think it's anything serious at all," he was quoted as saying in The Guardian newspaper. "It doesn't change our position in any shape or form.

"If the people in Bahrain (the government) say, 'Look Bernie, it wouldn't be good for you to come over here,' then I would think again. That is what they said last year."