Max Verstappen confirms F1 to discuss Saudi Arabia future

Verstappen in Jeddah — Photo: © LAT Images

Max Verstappen

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Verstappen confirms F1 to discuss Saudi Arabia future

A nearby missile strike threatened to cancel the event

Topher Smith

Monday 28 March 2022 18:05

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Max Verstappen has stated that all drivers will speak with F1 regarding the future of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix following a controversial weekend.

The event in Jeddah was overshadowed by a terrorist attack on a nearby Aramco oil facility, located around six miles from the circuit, in the lead-up to Friday practice.

The attack led to meetings between drivers and F1 personnel about whether the event should continue, the decision ultimately being made to race.

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Verstappen, who took his and Red Bull's first win of the season in Jeddah, raced on following the "guarantees" made by local authorities and promised conversations would be had regarding the future of the Saudi Arabian event.

"About the race here, well, we had a lot of guarantees that of course, we would be safe," said Verstappen.

"I think after this weekend, all the drivers also together, we will speak with F1 and of course also the team bosses to see what's happening for the future."

Tyre degradation an early problem in the race

Having started on the medium tyre, Verstappen conceded to suffering from "hurting" tyres in the opening stint but found himself able to push following a Virtual Safety Car and switch to the hard compound.

"I was just trying to stay with Charles without hurting the tyres too much because that was a bit my problem in the first stint, to see what would happen in the last 10 laps or 15 laps," added Verstappen.

"Then of course, that VSC happens so the tyres also cooled down quite a bit. But then yeah, when I started to fully push, seemed like we had good pace.

"So that's why I think I could actually push up to Charles a little bit. So yeah, a lot happier on the hard tyre in general with degradation."