Formula 1 had to face one of the most complicated situations in recent times at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. A terrorist attack less than 20 kilometers from the circuit set off the alarms and there was speculation of a possible cancellation that ultimately did not happen.
During the first free practice session at the Jeddah Circuit, an Aramco ( F1 ‘s main sponsor) oil plant came under a missile attack that caused a fire, followed by a large plume of smoke that was clearly visible from the track.
Despite the fact that Formula 1 and the organizers of the event were calm and confident from the start, ensuring that the grand prix would go ahead without any problem, the drivers met for more than four hours in the Saudi morning to discuss whether the cancellation of the event was the most correct decision.
After many conversations between them and also with the team directors and with the heads of Formula 1 and the FIA , they all agreed to go ahead with the GP, a decision that raised a lot of controversy both on and off the circuit.
Speaking to Sky Sports , Stefano Domenicali , current director of Formula 1, defended the decision made in Saudi Arabia and compared what happened in Jeddah with the conflict that caused the cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix a few weeks ago.
“It is a question of definition, is a terrorist attack a war? I mean, we are in contact with all the authorities, with all the embassies and with the governing body.”
“And of course we always follow that closely, we will never be in a situation that could endanger the safety of our people.”
“This is not such a case, and I’m pretty sure of it. Like I said, every situation has to be considered in the right way, we don’t have to be emotional. And I said that because I was the first one when I saw that smoke, right there. .. Yeah, it was reminiscent of a lot of things we’re seeing now on TV, it’s pretty clear what the first thought was,” the F1 CEO added.
Regarding the rumors that the pilots had given their “yes” to continue with the weekend despite the missile attack due to a series of extortions or threats, Stefano Domenicali also wanted to make a statement to make it clear that this was not the case. .
“I think boycott is not the right word. In F1 we are a family: the drivers raised their position with us and showed us their concern, and I think it was just a matter of talking and explaining the things that had to be explained to make a decision to properly. You’ve seen the press release that the GPDA did. You can read it and it’s pretty clear.”
