Saudi Arabian GP remains on after remarkable F1 drivers’ meeting
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Drivers were locked in intense talks for four-and-a-half hours as they discussed the situation surrounding the second round of the 2022 season after a missile attack was launched on an Aramco oil facility near the Jeddah Circuit on Friday afternoon. Smoke was seen billowing in the distance from the track during the opening practice session on Friday. Yemen’s Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility for the attack on the oil depot. In response, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem called the first of a series of emergency meetings which delayed the start of second practice by 15 minutes. Domenicali confirmed that all 10 teams had unanimously agreed in the initial meeting to proceed with the Saudi Arabian GP after receiving guarantees over security at the event. Related Driver meeting exceeds 4 hours as F1 team bosses return All 10 teams back F1’s decision to continue with Saudi raceBut several drivers are understood to have expressed concerns over the race going ahead, resulting in an extraordinary meeting between all 20 drivers which lasted until the early hours of Saturday morning in Jeddah. 3033160.0064.jpg F1 team principals rejoined the meeting at one stage, before leaving. The drivers finally broke off discussions at around 11.30pm GMT (2.30am local time). Despite indications that some drivers were unhappy to race and were willing to stage a potential boycott, agreement was eventually reached to continue with the event as scheduled after further information was provided by their bosses. Team principals including Red Bull’s Christian Horner, Mercedes’ Toto Wolff, and McLaren boss Zak Brown were heard stating “we will be racing” as they left the paddock at the end of a dramatic day. Related F1 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Free Practice Results (2) F1 Saudi Arabian GP to go ahead as planned despite attackDomenicali had insisted that security for the grand prix has been a priority for the authorities, while Ben Sulayem stressed that the Jeddah race would not be a target. 3033152.0064.jpg
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