An Aramco oil depot was engulfed in flames after a rocket attack claimed by Yemeni Houthis. The strike came on the eve of the Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Peter J Fox | Getty Images
When a missile crashed into an oil depot near the track where the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was being held, discussions between Formula 1 teams and drivers switched from human rights to personal safety.
The big question: was it safe to stay in Jeddah and compete in the second race of the F1 season some eleven kilometers away after Friday’s attack?
Emergency sessions were held late into the night before the Saturday lunchtime race decision was confirmed. World champion Max Verstappen won Sunday’s race but says answers are still needed.
“Regarding racing here, well we had a lot of guarantees that of course we would be safe,” said the Red Bull driver. “But I think after this weekend all drivers [will] Put together [and] will be speaking to F1 and of course team principals to see what happens going forward.”
The attack by Houthi rebels in Yemen targeted the North Jeddah bulk factory, southeast of the city’s international airport, where F1 fans were flying in for the Saudi Arabian GP.
The attack came two weeks after 81 people were killed in Saudi Arabia in the kingdom’s largest mass execution. Even when F1 held its inaugural event at the circuit last December, drivers raised human rights concerns.
Questions have been asked this weekend as to whether lucrative deals with Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia – which reportedly pay $55 million a year to host the race – are worth it given what else comes with a race can go hand in hand. and whether commercial interests prevail in the final decision to host races.
And it seems like there’s a long line to join F1, which is holding a record-breaking 23-race season. The popularity of the sport has risen with the Netflix series Drive to Survive and was boosted by last year’s thrilling duel for the drivers’ championship between Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen.
“The good news is that Formula 1 is at a great moment that many countries would love to host,” said F1 boss Stefano Domenicali.
Racing teams prepare on the starting grid at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit for the Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix. A pre-race missile attack raised new doubts about how hosting decisions are made.
Clive Mason | Getty Images
Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have been accused of “washing their human rights records through sport” by using high-profile sporting events to project a positive image of the countries.
A 10-year F1 deal signed with Qatar starts from 2023 – after last year’s inaugural race – and Bahrain’s deal has been extended to 2036.
Qatar will host the soccer World Cup and will scrutinize working conditions for migrant workers preparing the Gulf nation for kick-off on November 21.
A well-known refrain is that high-profile sporting events can be a force for change.
“We believe that our actions will have a very positive impact on the political situation,” Domenicali said.
F1 terminated its contract with Russia after Russia invaded Ukraine. Four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel said he would not have driven there anyway. Other riders agreed and during pre-season testing they carried “No War” messages as they gathered behind a flag of Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia leads a coalition against the Iran-backed Houthis who seized the Yemeni capital of Sana’a in September 2014. The kingdom entered the war in Yemen in 2015 and has been criticized internationally for its airstrikes that have killed civilians.
Night air raids on Sana’a and Hodeidah – both held by the Houthis – followed the rebel attack on the oil depot at Jeddah.
If F1 shouldn’t go to places of war like Russia, why go to Saudi Arabia?
“It’s different when a country invades another country or when there’s something going on with terrorists,” Williams team boss Jost Capito said.
The team bosses were asked over the weekend how financial factors influence their decision to stay.
“We shouldn’t shy away from the criticism we’re getting or close ourselves off to these countries,” said McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl. “I see the unique opportunity that we have in sport to share this passion for Formula 1, to drive this positive change.
“Not only in economic terms for the country here, but also in terms of positive changes in society.”
There has been backlash over other events in the past, for example Saudi Arabia came under scrutiny after buying football club Newcastle out of the Premier League.
And in 2019, singer Nicki Minaj withdrew from a concert in Saudi Arabia to demonstrate her support for women’s rights, gay rights and freedom of expression.
High profile individuals within Formula 1 are aware of the ongoing issues.
“Do Saudi Arabia and some of the other countries in the Middle East share the same values, the same culture as we do in Europe? They don’t. Are they where we want them? No,” said Mercedes Motorsport Director Toto Wolff on Saturday . “I’d rather come here and put the spotlight on the region so it must be in a better place than to say, ‘I’m not going there, I don’t want to hear about it.'”
He was asked if it was appropriate to drive within a few miles of an attack.
“Is it acceptable for us to race (near) where a drone rocket is flying in a gas tank? Certainly not,” said Wolff. “But here, in their culture, these things happen. I don’t want to say, ‘Well I don’t race’ because I’m generally someone who wants to give people a chance to improve.”