F1 assured terrorists targeting Saudi infrastructure not civilians as GP goes ahead
F1 assured terrorists targeting Saudi infrastructure not civilians as GP goes ahead
F1 has been assured the Yemeni terrorists that continue to attack Saudi Arabia are not targeting civilians and the grand prix is safe to go head this weekend.
The assurances came after two meetings in the Jeddah Corniche Circuit paddock that took place on either side of second practice after an oil refinery 11 kilometres from the circuit was struck by a missile from Yemeni political rebels the Houthis during FP1.
As the refinery that is owned by Saudi oil giants Aramco - which sponsors Aston Martin - blazed away, providing a frightening backdrop against the night sky as FP2 took place, F1 and the FIA were offered unequivocal guarantees over safety.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem met with high-level Saudi authority figures, as well as all the team principals and drivers.
Following the second meeting that lasted just 20 minutes, Domenicali said: "We have received total assurance that the country's safety is first. No matter the situation, safety has to be guaranteed.
"They are here with their families, actually here at the track, so they have in place the systems to protect this area, the city and the places where we are going.
"So we feel confident to trust the local authorities in that respect and, therefore, we will go ahead with the event."
Addressing the gathered media, Ben Sulayem added: "We had meetings with high-level security, then we had meetings with the team principals, with the drivers, to assure them.
"Who are they [the Houthi terrorists] targeting? They are targeting the infrastructure, not the civilians, and, of course, not the track.
"We've checked the facts from them and we've got assurances from the highest level that this is a secure place, the whole thing will be secure, and let's go on racing.
"For sure, all the families are here, we are all looking forward, but with an assurance that it is safe."
Domenicali insisted there was unanimity from all the teams to continue racing.
"Yes, we are here all together," added Domenicali. "We are standing together.
"We need to trust the local authorities, not only here but all around the world because if that's not the case then we would be in a situation that is not manageable, so that's the situation."
As to the drivers specifically, Domenicali concluded: "They will be on the track so you will see."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Ferrari announce DRASTIC change as Verstappen issues dire warning to bosses - GPFans F1 Recap
- 1 hour ago
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
- 2 hours ago
F1 giants announce name change with IMMEDIATE effect
- 3 hours ago
Horner admits Red Bull at MAJOR disadvantage with new rules
- Yesterday 20:57
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
- Yesterday 19:57
Sainz manager speaks out on 'game playing' over contract
- Yesterday 18:57
Related news
Red Bull F1 stars offer contrasting F1 advice to next generation
F1 pundit details GLARING Mercedes issue
Bearman reveals F1 LEGEND 'message' sent to him before Ferrari debut
Hamilton hug with Bearman and Tsunoda BLANKS Sky presenter – FIVE things you may have missed at the Saudi Arabian GP
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860