F1: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will happen despite suspected missile attack near track
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will still take place on Sunday despite a suspected missile attack on an oil production facility just miles from the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Friday.
The FIA and Formula 1 released a statement on Saturday morning that said the race weekend would continue. Drivers and teams met with F1 officials late Friday in Jeddah after the large fire at the Aramco facility. Aramco, the state oil company of Saudi Arabia, is a corporate sponsor of F1.
There was no mention of the alleged missile attack in the statement.
Formula 1 and the FIA can confirm that following discussions with all the teams and drivers, the 2022 FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will continue as scheduled.
Following the widely reported incident that took place in Jeddah on Friday, there has been extensive discussion between all stakeholders, the Saudi government authorities and security agencies who have given full and detailed assurances that the event is secure.
It has been agreed with all stakeholders to maintain a clear and open dialogue throughout the event and for the future.
The Houthi rebels from Yemen claimed responsibility for the alleged missile attack on the oil facility approximately seven miles from the temporary street circuit where F1 was racing. Smoke from the fire could be seen in the background of pictures taken at the track during Friday's practice sessions.
Saudi Arabia has been waging war in Yemen against the Houthis over the last seven years.
According to the BBC, meetings with drivers lasted four hours and the drivers’ association released a statement saying that it was difficult for drivers to focus with smoke billowing in the distance. The BBC story also included a fascinating nugget about the potential consequences for drivers and teams if the race wasn’t going to happen.
Among the considerations, BBC Sport has been told, was the potential impact calling off the race might have — whether there could be delays in personnel or freight leaving the country, for example.
Sunday's race is set to be the second in Saudi Arabia after the inaugural race last December. The race was still held in the country in the wake of the death of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018. The country recently mass-executed over 80 people for various crimes in March. Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton said this week that conversations about improving Saudi Arabia's human rights record shouldn't fall to drivers, but that he was willing to tackle the topics when necessary.
“Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of those that are in power to really make the changes and we’re not really seeing enough,” Hamilton said. “So we need to see more.”
