Despite the attack near the track – “playing with fire”: Formula 1 is sticking to the GP – sport

After an explosion near the track of the Saudi Arabian GP, ​​the drivers had to be persuaded late into the night.

Despite an attack by Yemeni rebels within sight and reach of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the second race of the Formula 1 season is scheduled to take place on Sunday as planned. This was announced by Formula 1 and the World Automobile Association FIA.

Discussions about boycott

The pilots, who apparently also discussed a boycott until late into the night, are grudgingly participating in the show. In a statement, the drivers’ association GPDA described Friday as “a difficult day for Formula 1 and a stressful one for Formula 1 drivers”.

With the cloud of smoke in front of your eyes, it was difficult to stay fully focused on racing on the dangerous high-speed track, explained the drivers around world champion Max Verstappen and record champion Lewis Hamilton. That’s why we exchanged ideas until late at night. A “many number of options” were discussed, as the saying goes.

Only after Saudi Arabian government officials had declared that security measures would be “raised to the maximum” did the pilots decide to get into the car as planned. After the Yemeni Houthi rebels attacked an oil refinery within sight of the course, a large cloud of smoke could be seen in the first free practice session. The 2nd training started a quarter of an hour late, the following media events were all cancelled. A marathon of talks began between Formula 1, the FIA, the team bosses, the drivers and the Saudi side.

“Let’s race”: No doubts about team bosses

The Saudi security authorities have “assured comprehensively and in detail that the event is safe,” said Formula 1 and the FIA ​​​​in their joint statement on Saturday. But the top officials had never left any doubt that they would pull through the GP in the controversial and economically powerful oil state. “We have received full assurance that safety is the country’s top priority,” said Formula 1 Managing Director Stefano Domenicali. Several team bosses said as a matter of course: “We drive.”

FIA boss Ben Sulayem also tried to appease: “What are the Houthis aiming for? On the economic infrastructure, not on civilians and not on the racetrack.” “The facts have been checked and there is high-level assurance that this place is safe.”

The pilots obviously saw things differently – and they weren’t alone. ‘How inappropriate is that? Nothing to worry about. The race is on. (…) Formula 1 is literally playing with fire, »wrote ex-world champion Damon Hill on Twitter.