The drivers held a four-hour meeting in Jeddah on Friday night in which they seriously considered the race not going ahead after the Houthi missile attack near the circuit.
After that, on Saturday there was a brutal accident for Mick Schumacher in qualifying, after which the German had to go to a hospital and missed the race despite being declared fit.
That high-speed hit put the safety of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit back in the spotlight, despite modifications made to improve visibility and extend the view for 2022.
All of that came days after F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali revealed that the calendar could, in theory, be expanded to as many as 30 races per year.
The Pact of Concord currently places a limit of 25 grands prix, which would cause a waiting list to form if there are 30 circuits available.
Photo by: Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Images
Photo by: Sam Bloxham/Motorsport Images
Photo By: Andy Hone/Motorsport Images
Photo By: Andy Hone/Motorsport Images
Photo By: Andy Hone/Motorsport Images
Photo By: Andy Hone/Motorsport Images
Photo By: Andy Hone/Motorsport Images
Asked by Motorsport.com if Saudi Arabia should remain on the calendar if there are too many countries, Carlos Sainz said it was an issue that F1, the FIA and the drivers had to look into.
“I think there will need to be discussions after this race, because clearly what has happened in the last 48 hours is… it is a point of discussion and consideration that we need to look into in the future,” the Ferrari man said.
The initial contract that F1 agreed with the organizers was for £500m over a 10-year period. However, at that stage there will likely be a change of venue from Jeddah to Qiddiyah .
That deal was also the subject of widespread criticism from many who felt Saudi Arabia was continuing to “whitewash” itself with sports.
Sergio Pérez, for his part, declared: “I think there are some considerations that we will have to make as a group and see what is best for the sport in the future.”
Charles Leclerc added: “Yes, I agree.”
“Right now I don’t want to go into too much detail on that, but it’s definitely a discussion we should have after this race, once everything settles down and we go over it, and we’ll see.”
After a disappointing race in which he could only be tenth, Lewis Hamilton was also asked about the future of F1 in Saudi Arabia, but in a press conference full of short answers, he did not want to go much further: “I am very happy that the weekend is over, I’m also happy that everyone is safe and I’m really looking forward to getting out of here.”
And when the Mercedes driver was asked if he wants F1 to return to that country next year, he declared: “I don’t know, now I just want to go home.”
Domenicali also warned that some current races will likely be dropped from the calendar – and historic circuits will not be immune – to new venues such as Qatar and Las Vegas .
