Formula 1 insists the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will run as planned following lengthy discussions with drivers and team bosses around the safety of the event.
A missile attack on an oil facility less than 10 miles from the circuit plunged the race into doubt over concerns the Jeddah track could be targeted.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali spoke to drivers and team principals before the second free practice session on Friday, before holding a four-hour meeting that ran into the early hours.
While Domenicali stressed it had been given “total assurance” from local authorities regarding the security of the event and teams unanimously agreeing to stage the race, drivers were not as convinced it was safe to carry on as normal.
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association [GPDA] held an extended meeting to discuss the situation at length, expressing concerns around the security of the venue and the potential to boycott the event.
Domenicali and F1 managing director Ross Brawn returned for fresh talks, along with team bosses, that ran until 2am local time.
A settlement was eventually reached that is was best to continue with the race rather than call it off after renewed assurance from Saudi authorities that security would be on high alert for the remainder of the weekend.
A statement issued on Saturday morning by F1 and the FIA read: “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 GPDA issued its own response on the decision to continue with the race in Jeddah, saying “natural human concerns” had triggered its stance to question whether the event should take place.
“Yesterday was a difficult day for Formula 1 and a stressful day for us Formula 1 drivers,” the statement from the GPDA reads.
“Perhaps it is hard to comprehend if you have never driven an F1 car on this fast and challenging Jeddah track but, on seeing the smoke from the incident, it was difficult to remain a fully focused race driver and erase natural human concerns.
“A large variety of opinions were shared and debated and, having listened not only to the Formula 1 powers but also to the Saudi government ministers who explained how security measures were being elevated to the maximum, the outcome was a resolution that we would practice and qualify today, and race tomorrow.
“We therefore hope that the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be remembered as a good race rather than for the incident that took place yesterday.”
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