The controversy over Formula 1′s Bahrain Grand Prix, in pictures

With less than five days before the Formula 1 race set for the troubled Middle Eastern country of Bahrain, protests inside and out have risen over the spectacle of the world's most popular -- and richest -- form of auto racing taking place in a country rife with struggle between the kingdom's ruling class and anti-government protestors demanding an end to years of abuse. Below are some of the more striking scenes from the ground.

While F1 teams have vowed to go along with the decision of the sport's chief, Bernie Ecclestone, to run the Bahrain Grand Prix this Sunday, Ecclestone himself has deferred to Bahraini authorities, saying its their call to hold the event. The race was cancelled last year following similar protests, and a peaceful demonstration Tuesday called for the race to be cancelled again, with thousands of marchers led by a sign with the "F" in the F1 logo replaced with a rifle.

Amnesty International said Tuesday that Bahraini officials had not made promised political reforms, and a youth activist group involved in several clashes with police warned of a weekend of events. F1 reporters on the ground report calm in the capital, along with a heavy police presence around the track, but the drama on the track this Sunday may struggle to match the contest off it.

Cars pass near a Formula one advertisement saying ''3 days to go'' on a highway in Manama. Photo: Reuters/Hamad I Mohammed

Bahraini anti-government protesters wave national flags during a march Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Al-Dair, Bahrain, chanting anti-government slogans and carrying banners urging freedom for political prisoners. Photo: Associated Press/Hasan Jamali

A Bahraini anti-government protester holds up a picture of Ahmad Ismail al-Samadi during clashes with riot police firing tear gas last Friday in Salmabad, Bahrain, that erupted at the burial of a citizen journalist shot dead earlier this month. Photo: AP/Hasan Jamali

Formula 1 chief Bernie Ecclestone announces to reporters in Shanghai last week that the Bahrain Grand Prix would be held as scheduled. Photo: Reuters/David Gray

A Bahraini carrying a child passes a wall earlier this month painted with graffiti depicting Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in a race car, calling for a boycott of the race. Photo: AP/Hasan Jamali

Bahraini anti-government protesters prepare carries gasoline bombs for clashes with riot police on Monday in Salmabad, Bahrain, after a traditional mourning procession for a citizen journalist killed about two weeks ago while filming clashes between protesters and riot police. Photo: AP/Hasan Jamali

Professional golfers Colin Montgomerie of Scotland and Thomas Bjorn of Denmark consult on the second hole during the Bahrain Invitational golf tournament last week in Riffa, Bahrain -- a reminder that while Formula 1 draws much attention, it's not the only amusements in Bahrain. Photo: Getty Images/David Cannon.