The missile attack by the Hautis on an oil facility near the Jeddah circuit on Friday raised serious questions about whether to continue holding the second round of the 2022 season.
Although the team leaders were quickly convinced to keep the structure of the weekend standing after the local authorities guaranteed them the complete security of the venue, the pilots were not so in agreement, and argued for more than four hours, specifically until 2:30 in the morning, about whether to run or not.
In the end, the Formula 1 Drivers’ Association (GPDA) collectively agreed that they would take part in qualifying and the race following promises that it was totally safe to be there.
However, and although the teams continue with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix ahead, some think that it is necessary to speak with the leaders of Formula 1 to decide whether to continue visiting this country in the future.
Williams boss Jost Capito said: “We are not responsible for the schedule, but the situation here is for many. I think this could have been done earlier, not during the event.”
“As long as we have confirmation that security is there, we will be there,” said the head of the British team.
For his part, Haas boss Guenther Steiner said: “This is not the time to discuss whether it is right or wrong to be here, I think that will be seen in the future and will be discussed. The FIA and the FOM will study it, and Then it will be decided what to do.”
“I think for the moment we have to focus on this weekend and take it to the end to start again from scratch,” said the Italian.
Another of those who spoke on the subject of holding the Saudi Arabian GP was the manager of Aston Martin, Mike Krack : “There will be many discussions after this, but, again, I can only repeat it, it is not the teams that they make the calendar.
“It’s the FIA and F1 that do it and obviously we’ll give an opinion if they ask us, then we’ll move on,” he added.
In McLaren they also question the celebration of the Saudi appointment through Andreas Seidl , but he defends that F1 needs to go to these places to help act for the benefit of good. Asked by Motorsport.com if the money the series gets from paying organizers outweighs the criticism it receives, he said: “To be honest, that’s not a question for me.”
“I feel comfortable being part of F1 as a global sport, being a member of a team and having the opportunity to help positive change in the countries we visit, where, for example, there are different cultures,” he said. “There’s the discussion, we shouldn’t walk away, not go because of the criticism we’re getting.”
“Again, I feel comfortable with the decision that Formula 1 is making in terms of going to the races,” added the German.
Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto , for his part, said that while there was concern in the paddock, he believes it would have been the “right” thing for F1 to have packed up and not raced.
“We were all worried, because these are not normal things that happen near the circuit,” said the Italian. “We as a team received assurances from Formula 1, from the Saudi government authorities and security agencies that everything would have been safe under their control, I think that had to be explained to the drivers.
“We told them about the situation and we made them understand that we are safe and protected. I think after those long discussions, it is important to have transparency, they just understood and supported the fact that it is key to stay, stay and continue with the weekend here in Saudi Arabia,” Binotto explained.
“In a way, I think that leaving the country would not have been the right option, there was no reason, being here, to leave with the security guarantees that they gave us,” he said.
