F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has said that the Saudi Grand Prix will be held after the attack on a nearby oil depot.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has said that the Saudi Grand Prix will be held after the attack on a nearby oil depot.
Saudi Arabia’s Formula 1 GP is set to go ahead with driver concerns following an attack on an oil depot near the Jeddah track.
The F1 grid of 20 drivers met for more than four hours after training on Friday and the conversations – which included team bosses and F1 leaders – continued until 2.30am. local time on Saturday in Saudi Arabia.
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association – of which all drivers are members – issued a statement Saturday morning acknowledging a “difficult and stressful day” and “human concerns” following a rocket attack on a nearby oil rig during Friday’s training session. , but confirming that they will continue after being assured that “security measures are being increased to the maximum”.
Sky Sports understands that while the lengthy meeting showed that some may have wanted to boycott, the drivers unanimously agreed that the event would continue.
On Saturday morning, F1 and the FIA reiterated that the final training sessions and qualifiers would take place as scheduled later, with Sunday’s match following.
“Formula 1 and the FIA can confirm that after discussions with all teams and drivers, the FIA Formula 1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia 2022 will continue as planned,” a statement said.
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Sky F1’s Simon Lazenby provides information on developments following the fire at an oil depot in Jeddah, which Yemeni Houthi rebels claim was an attack by the group.
Sky F1’s Simon Lazenby provides information on developments following the fire at an oil depot in Jeddah, which Yemeni Houthi rebels claim was an attack by the group.
“Following the widespread incident in Jeddah on Friday, there has been widespread discussion among all stakeholders, including the Saudi government and security services, who have given full and detailed assurances that the incident is safe.
“It has been agreed with all stakeholders to maintain a clear and open dialogue throughout the event and for the future.”
A statement from GPDA, meanwhile, said: “Yesterday was a difficult day for Formula 1 and a stressful day for us Formula One drivers.
“It may be hard to understand if you have never driven an F1 car on this fast and challenging Jeddah track, but seeing the smoke from the incident made it difficult to remain a fully focused racing driver and erase the natural human concerns.
“Therefore, we have had long discussions with each other, with the managers of our teams and with the senior people who run our sport. We shared and discussed a wide variety of views and, having heard not only the forces of Formula 1 but also the Ministers of the Government of Saudi Arabia who explained how the security measures are maximized, the result was a resolution that we would exercise and fulfill today. and we will fight tomorrow.
“So we hope that the Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia 2022 will be remembered as a good match and not as the incident that took place yesterday.
Yemeni Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack.
An oil depot – about seven miles off the track and owned by F1 sponsor Aramco – caught fire during the first training session in Saudi Arabia and a large black cloud of smoke was visible from the track.
The fire was still burning late Friday night and smoke was still pouring into the sky on Saturday morning.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia say no one was injured in the attack.
The final training starts at 14:00 at Sky Sports F1, with the qualifiers following at 5 pm.
The drivers met for more than four hours on Friday afternoon after the attack
F1 and FIA presidents insist Saudi Arabia GP is safe
Before the F1 drivers continued their meetings in the Jeddah yard, the president of the sport, Stefano Domenicali, insisted that they had received unanimous support from the drivers to continue and “absolute assurance” of safety from the authorities.
The attack took place during the first training session, which continued normally, although there was a 15-minute delay in starting the second training session as the drivers and team leaders met with F1 president Domenicali and FIA Mohammed Ben Sulayem. .
There was another meeting after P2, which was also attended by a delegation from Saudi Arabia, after which the leaders of F1 and FIA appeared at 22:40 local time and insisted that the Grand Prix would continue.
The fire at the North Jeddah Bulk Plant broke out about seven miles from the Jeddah circuit.
“First we have received full assurance of the country’s security,” Domenicali said. “They have installed all the systems to protect this area. So, we feel confident that we have to trust the local authority in this regard. Of course we will proceed with the event.”
Ben Sulayem added that the attackers “did not aim at the track”.
“We had meetings with the high level of security and then we had meetings with the team leaders and the drivers,” said the FIA president. “And to assure you that they are targeting the infrastructure of the economy, not the citizens and of course not the track.
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Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff said they had secured and unanimously decided to continue fighting after the attack on a nearby oil shop at the Saudi Arabian GP.
Red Bull’s Christian Horner and Mercedes’ Toto Wolff said they had secured and unanimously decided to continue fighting after the attack on a nearby oil shop at the Saudi Arabian GP.
“Of course, we checked the facts from them and we had the assurance from the high authorities for safety here and let’s go to races.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said: “It was a good meeting, the drivers will now speak at a driver meeting. We are the team leaders, they have assured us that we are protected here and it is probably the safest place you can be. in Saudi Arabia right now and that ‘s what we’re fighting for. [It was a unanimous decision] From the team leaders, yes “.
Red Bull director Christian Horner added: “I believe that the sport must be united collectively. Any terrorist act can not be forgiven and sport must not be intimidated in one place – such a situation is simply unacceptable. We are facing the president, there have been all the assurances from the organizers and we will go to matches “.
The drivers, whose canceled media commitments were canceled, then met to discuss the situation.
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Watch as the smoke was visible from the Jeddah track in Saudi Arabia as Craig Slater reports on the fire and condition of Sunday’s race.
Watch as the smoke was visible from the Jeddah track in Saudi Arabia as Craig Slater reports on the fire and condition of Sunday’s race.
Yemen’s Houthi rebel group claims responsibility for attack | No casualties were reported
Neither F1 nor the FIA has confirmed that the fire was caused by an attack.
However, Yemeni Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a barrage of attacks in the kingdom, according to the Associated Press, and the Saudi Motor Sports Company has also reported an attack.
“We are aware of the attack on the Aramco distribution station in Jeddah earlier this afternoon,” the statement said.
“The race organizers are in direct contact with the security authorities of Saudi Arabia, as well as the F1 and the FIA to ensure that all necessary safety and security measures continue to be implemented to ensure the safety of all visitors to the Grand Prix of Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabia. as well as all drivers, groups and stakeholders.
“The weekend program of the games will continue as planned. The safety and security of all our visitors continues to be our top priority and we look forward to welcoming fans to a weekend of racing and premium entertainment.”
Fire breaks out near Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia during Friday training
The fire focused on the same oil depot that the Houthis had attacked in recent days.
Al-Masirah, a satellite news channel run by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, claimed to have attacked Aramco facilities in Jeddah, along with other targets in Riyadh and elsewhere. The report did not provide further details.
Saudi state television recognized …
