The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is expected to go on as planned despite the concerns of Formula One drivers.
Talks between drivers, team bosses and F1 executives over the security of the event continued until 2.30 a.m. on Saturday before team principals emerged from a meeting with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and confirmed the race would go ahead.
The safety of the event was called into question after a missile attack on an oil depot east of the circuit.
The attack on the facility was claimed by a military spokesman for Yemen's Houthis, who have been battling a coalition led by Saudi Arabia for seven years.
The drivers decided against boycotting the event in the early hours of Saturday morning.
A large amount of smoke could be seen from several miles away on Saturday morning.
There were no casualties as a result of the attacks.
F1 confirmed the race would go ahead at noon on Saturday, eight hours after the drivers were persuaded not to boycott the event.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will continue as scheduled after discussions with all the teams and drivers, according to the statement.
Following the widely reported incident that took place in Jeddah on Friday, there has been extensive discussion between all stakeholders, the Saudi government authorities and security agencies who have given full and detailed assurances that the event is secure.
It has been agreed with all stakeholders to maintain a clear and open dialogue throughout the event.
A number of drivers raised their concerns about the situation ahead of the second practice session, leading Domenicali to hastily arrange a meeting that delayed the start of the session by 15 minutes.
The CEO of F1 tried to assure drivers of the security of the event before they returned to their cars.
After practice ended, a second meeting was held with Domenicali, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, team bosses and drivers in F1's suite at the circuit.
The race would go ahead after Domenicali and Ben Sulayem emerged and announced that the Saudi Arabian government would pay the hosting fee for the race.
Domenicali told reporters after the initial meeting with drivers and team bosses that safety has to be guaranteed.
Saudi officials are at the track with their families. They have all the systems in place to protect this area.
We have to trust the local authority because we feel confident. We will go ahead with the event.
We had meetings with high-level security and then we had meetings with the team principals.
Who are the targets of the Houthis? They are not at the track, but at the infrastructure, economic infrastructure, and not the civilians.
We checked the facts from them and we have the assurance that this is a secure place, the whole thing will be secure and we can go on racing.
All the families are here. We are only looking forward, but with an assurance that nothing will happen.
When asked if the drivers were in agreement with the decision, Domenicali said they would be on track.
The drivers stayed in F1's suite for three hours after Domenicali's statement. Initially, they took part in their usual Friday briefing with the race director, but stayed on to discuss the missile attacks and the safety of the event.
Ross Brawn and Domenicali went to their offices in the race control building. The team principals were stopped at the drivers' suite after they were summoned to Domenicali's office.
George Russell, the director of the Grand Prix Drivers Association, joined the meeting between Domenicali and the team bosses in the race control building after the drivers left their room.
Russell and the team principals returned to the paddock after entering the building, where several team bosses confirmed to the media that the race would go ahead.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner said he agreed with the decision to race on.
The sport has to stand together. The sport shouldn't be made to feel like that situation isn't acceptable.
Stefano and the president are dealing with it. We will be going racing and there have been assurances from the organizers.
Wolff said that the F1 circuit is the safest place to be in Saudi Arabia.
The promoter of the race, the Saudi Motorsport Company, confirmed the attack and said security had been raised to match the threat posed by the events.
The statement said that they were aware of the attack on the distribution station.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix race organizers are in constant contact with the Saudi security authorities and F1 to ensure the safety of all visitors to the race as well as all drivers.
The race weekend schedule will go on as planned. We look forward to welcoming fans for a weekend of premium racing and entertainment and the safety and security of all our guests is our main priority.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
