---
title: "F1 given ‘total assurance’ that Saudi Arabian GP is safe enough to go ahead"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2022/03/25/f1-given-total-assurance-that-saudi-arabian-gp-is-safe-enough-to-go-ahead/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Hamilton Lyndon-Griffiths"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2022-03-25T20:59:17Z"
modified: "2022-03-25T20:59:19Z"
---

# F1 given ‘total assurance’ that Saudi Arabian GP is safe enough to go ahead

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali says this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be staged as planned after assurances from local authorities regarding the safety of the event.

While Friday practice took place at the Jeddah Circuit, a missile attack occurred on an oil facility close the track that led to fears that the race could be targeted.

A series of meetings were held between F1 chiefs and local security to get a clearer understanding of the situation, and ensure the safety of the paddock and spectators at the Jeddah Circuit.

F1 undertook a meeting with drivers and team principals prior to FP2 to brief them over the situation, before Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem spoke with them again on Friday night to update them on proceedings.

Following the meeting, it was unanimously agreed among the team principals that the race would go ahead due to F1 having been promised about the safety of the event.

Speaking to the media, Domenicali said, as quoted by Austosport: “We have received total assurances that, for the country, safety is first, no matter the situation – safety has to be guaranteed.

“They \[local officials\] are here with their families, actually here at the track, so they have in place all the systems to protect this area, the city and the places we are going.

“So we feel confident and we have to trust the local authority in that respect. Therefore of course we will go ahead with the event.”

Sulayem said after receiving clarification over the motive of the attack on Aramco’s facility, it was unlikely the circuit would become a potential target.

“We had meetings with the head of security, and meetings with team principals and meeting with the drivers,” said Sulayem.

“And who are they targeting? They are targeting the infrastructure, not the civilians and not the track.

“Of course we checked the facts from them and we had assurance from them that this is a secure place, the whole place will be secure and let’s go on racing.

“For sure all their families are here. We are only looking forward but with an assurance that nothing is going to happen.”

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc topped both of Friday’s practice sessions in Jeddah, despite ending FP2 early after hitting the inside wall at Turn 4 – leading reigning world champion Max Verstappen and team-mate Carlos Sainz.