A Houthi missile attack on an oil facility near the Jeddah circuit on Friday raised doubts about whether a second round of the F1 championship should take place.
Although the team bosses were quickly persuaded by Formula One executives to continue racing after the Saudi authorities offered them safety guarantees, the drivers were not so easily persuaded as negotiations continued with them until early Saturday morning.
In the end, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) collectively agreed that they would enter qualifying and race after having promised them safety at the event.
But while teams remain convinced that continuing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend is the right thing to do, there are some who believe there should be further talks with F1 executives about whether it is the right thing to continue in the country.
Williams team principal Jost Capito said: “We are not in charge of the calendar, but the situation is here for years to come.
“I think there was a rocket attack during the FE race at the beginning of last year and there was no fear about coming here at the end of last year. So the situation for this weekend has not changed at all.
“I think the discussion should have been held earlier. And now it will be after, not during the event. As long as we have confirmation that there is security, then we are safe.”
Haas boss Gunther Steiner said: “Now is not the time to discuss whether it is right or wrong to be here at all. I think this will happen in the future and will be discussed. The FIA and FOM will look into this and then decide what to do.
“But I think at the moment we need to focus on this weekend’s event and see it through to the end and then start over.”
Mattia Binotto, Ferrari Team Principal, Andreas Seidl, McLaren Team Principal, Mario Isola, Pirelli Motorsport Race Manager, at a press conference
Photo: Carl Bingham/Motorsport Images
Aston Martin CEO Mike Krak added: “Of course there will be a lot of discussion after this event. But then again, I can only repeat. Teams don’t make up the calendar.
“The calendar is made up by the FIA and F1. And obviously we’ll give our opinion if we’re asked and then move on.”
However, McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl insisted that F1 needed to visit places like Saudi Arabia in order to act as a force for good.
Asked by Motorsport.com if the financial benefits F1 has received from the race fees outweigh the negative criticism the sport has faced this weekend, Seidl said: “Honestly, that’s not the point for me.
“I feel comfortable being part of Formula 1 as a world sport, being part of a team and being able to really contribute to positive change in the countries where we are going, where there are different cultures, for example.
“That’s the point of this discussion for me, and I think we also shouldn’t shy away from these countries because of the criticism we’re getting.
“I see a unique opportunity that we have as a sport to share this passion for Formula 1 and also contribute to this positive change. And not only in the economy, for example, for the country, but also in terms of positive changes in society. .
“So, once again, I said before I feel comfortable with the decision that Formula 1 is making in terms of racing.”
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Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto said that while there were concerns in the paddock after Friday’s attack, he believes it would be wrong for F1 to pack up and leave.
“We were all worried because these are abnormal facts happening near the track,” he said.
“We as a team have received assurances from F1, from the Saudi Arabian authorities and the security authorities, that everything would be safe under their control. I think this should have been explained to the riders.
“We explained the situation to them and let them know that, in essence, we are safe and protected. And I think after those long discussions that it’s important to be transparent, they just understood and supported the fact that it’s important to stay, stay and continue the weekend and go here to Saudi Arabia for the weekend.
“In a way, I think that leaving the country would not just be the right choice. And I think that being here was not the right reason to leave the country with the guarantees that we received.