F1 makes it official that there will be a Saudi Arabian GP and promises security

After the terrorist attack just 16 kilometers from the Jeddah circuit, where F1 is contesting this weekend the second round of the season – the Saudi Arabian GP – the objective of the teams, the FIA and the category has been fulfilled and there will be race on Sunday.

After a long meeting of the drivers (four hours) that lasted until half past two on Friday in Saudi Arabia, and despite the fact that some drivers did not agree to compete, the grand prix will go ahead as planned .

The world of Formula 1 was shocked this Friday when, during the first practice session of the Saudi Arabian GP, an explosion at an Aramco oil plant left behind a huge curtain of black smoke.

It was soon confirmed that it was an attack by the Houthis, in a historic war rivalry with Saudi Arabia, but it was decided to play FP2 and call a meeting for 10:00 p.m. (local time) with the team leaders. There, F1 and the FIA convinced the directors of the teams, and Stefano Domenicali and Ben Sulayem left confident and ensuring that the grand prix went ahead.

However, there was still the opinion of the pilots, who were grouped in another room to debate what decision to make. Lewis Hamilton took the lead for much of the meeting, but the meeting dragged on and time went by without anything being clear. In fact, Domenicali and Ross Brawn joined that meeting first, and later the team bosses arrived.

The F1 bosses left the scene, and only about 25 minutes after they arrived, the team managers went to rejoin them.

Above the air, he planned the possibility that the pilots would stand up, and the time that the meeting lasted ( four hours, until half past two in the local morning ) allowed us to guess that in reality at least several of them did not want to compete.

The drivers left the meeting at 02:25 (local time) and began to leave the circuit. Soon it began to run like wildfire that there would be a grand prize, and some journalist present quoted Horner and Zak Brown assuring him, and Alonso saying goodbye with a “see you tomorrow”.

Sources confirmed by Motorsport.com confirmed that there will be a Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and on Saturday morning Formula 1 made it official with a statement that read as follows:

“Formula 1 and the FIA can confirm that following discussions with all teams and drivers, the 2022 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled.”

“Following the widely reported incident that took place in Jeddah on Friday, there has been extensive discussion among all concerned parties, Saudi government authorities and security agencies that have provided full and detailed assurances that the event is safe.”

“It has been agreed with all stakeholders to maintain a clear and open dialogue throughout the event and into the future.”

The photos of the meetings this Friday in Jeddah

Mike Krack, team director of Aston Martin F1

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Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula 1, and Mohammed bin Sulayem, President of the FIA, leave the press center

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Photo by: Carl Bingham/Motorsport Images

Alex Albon, Williams Racing, Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari, Laurent Mekies, Racing Director, Ferrari

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Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing Team Principal

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Photo by: Carl Bingham/Motorsport Images

Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren

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Photo by: Carl Bingham/Motorsport Images

Esteban Ocon, Alpine F1 Team, Otmar Szafnauer, Team Principal, Alpine F1, Fernando Alonso, Alpine F1 Team

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Photo by: Carl Bingham/Motorsport Images

Fernando Alonso, Alpine F1 team

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Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Lando Norris, McLaren

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Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG, George Russell, Mercedes-AMG

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Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Mattia Binotto, director of the Ferrari team

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Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Mick Schumacher, Haas F1 Team, Kevin Magnussen, Haas F1 Team

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Photo de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Mohammed bin Sulayem, President of the FIA, and Stefano Domenicali, General Manager of Formula 1, hold a press conference to confirm that the event will go ahead after the missile attack on Jeddah

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Photo by: Carl Bingham/Motorsport Images

Pierre Gasly, Scuderia AlphaTauri, Franz Tost, team manager, Scuderia AlphaTauri

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Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Sergio Pérez, Red Bull Racing RB18

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Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Sergio Pérez, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, director del equipo, Red Bull Racing

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Sergio Pérez, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, director del equipo, Red Bull Racing

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Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Sergio Pérez, Red Bull Racing, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner, director del equipo, Red Bull Racing

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Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team, Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team

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Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team, Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team

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Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Yuki Tsunoda, establo de AlphaTauri

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Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

media area

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Photo by: Carl Bingham/Motorsport Images

Mohammed bin Sulayem, President, FIA, Stefano Domenicali, CEO, Formula 1, hold a Press Conference to confirm that the event will proceed as planned in the wake of a missile attack on Jeddah

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Foto de: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images