F1 executives confirm that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will take place on Sunday after important talks with concerned drivers and team leaders over the attack on an oil depot near the track in Jeddah.
- Formula 1 and the FIA have confirmed that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will take place.
- F1 executives spoke to drivers and team leaders after Jeddah oil depot attack
- They received assurances from Saudi officials that Sunday’s race was “safe”.
- Yemeni Houthi rebels said they fired a rocket at the warehouse on Friday.
- Lewis Hamilton led the campaign to cancel Sunday’s race.
Formula 1 and the FIA have confirmed that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will take place on Sunday as planned after extensive discussions with drivers and team leaders following the attack on an oil depot near the track in Jeddah.
Smoke was seen over the track during practice on Friday after the depot was attacked by Yemeni Houthi rebels, raising concerns about Sunday’s upcoming Grand Prix.
The drivers were locked in a three and a half hour paddock meeting to discuss whether this should still be the case, with Lewis Hamilton advocating its cancellation.
Formula 1 confirms Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will take place despite oil depot attack
The depot is located near the Jeddah track, where the second race of the season will take place.
But a statement from F1 on Saturday said: “Following the highly publicized incident that took place in Jeddah on Friday, extensive discussions have taken place between all parties involved, the Saudi government authorities and the security services, which have provided full and detailed assurances that the event is safe. .
“An agreement was reached with all stakeholders to maintain a clear and open dialogue throughout the event and in the future.”
The drivers remained in the meeting until 2:30 a.m., inviting F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali to discuss the situation.
The drivers invited F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali (foreground) to discuss the situation.
Hamilton sat down at the table and argued his point before the team leaders were called in to speak with Domenicali, with teammate George Russell representing. position of the GPA.
But when this new group left the paddock, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner confirmed: “We will be racing.”
As a giant plume of dark smoke filled the air around 5:45 pm on Friday, world champion Max Verstappen radioed his Red Bull team as the first session drew to a close: “I can smell burning. I’m not sure if this is my car or another car.”
Domenicali insisted that they not cancel the profitable race earlier in the evening.
Lewis Hamilton has called for the cancellation of the £50 million Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
After the conclusion of the second of two crisis meetings, the Italian said: “We had discussions with the drivers and team leaders along with the Saudi Arabian authorities and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President and Governor of Jeddah.
“We have received full confidence that the security of the country is in the first place. Regardless of the situation, safety must be guaranteed.
“They are here with their families, actually here on the track, so they have systems in place to protect this area, the city and the places we are going. Therefore, we are confident that we have confidence in the local authorities in this regard, and therefore we will continue this event.”
Yemeni terrorists said they launched a rocket attack that set off a fire near Jeddah.