The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go ahead as planned after a meeting between the teams and Formula 1 governing bodies.
The teams, including the drivers, met at 22:00 local time (19:00 GMT) to discuss the race weekend following an attack on an oil facility near the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, where the race is held.
An Aramco oil distribution center 12 kilometers from the route was torched in an attack blamed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
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Friday’s practice sessions proceeded as usual, but the second session was postponed by 15 minutes as race organizers updated the drivers on what was happening in Saudi Arabia.
In a 45 minute meeting, the teams and drivers were assured that the race weekend was safe.
An F1 statement said: “Formula 1 and the FIA can confirm that after discussions with all teams and drivers, the 2022 FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will proceed as planned.
“Following the widespread incident that took place in Jeddah on Friday, there have been extensive discussions between all parties involved, the Saudi government agencies and security agencies, who have given full and detailed assurances that the event is safe.
“It was agreed with all those involved to have a clear and open dialogue throughout the event and in the future.”
The sport’s top officials confirmed after the meeting that the race would go ahead and wanted to emphasize that the decision was made jointly.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said: “We first received full assurances of the safety of the country. “They have all systems in place to protect this area. We are therefore confident that we must trust the local authority in this regard. We will of course continue the event.
“The attacks targeted industrial sites and not civilians or the Grand Prix,” added Domenicali. “We trust the Saudi authorities. The teams and the drivers are informed, they will discuss it now.”
FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem said: “We had meetings with senior security, then we had meetings with the team principals and the drivers.
“And to reassure you, they are targeting the infrastructure of the economy, not the civilian population and of course not the track.
“Of course we checked the facts from them and we got the assurance of safety here from the high authorities and let’s race.”
Drivers and team principals met with a Saudi delegation including Sports Minister Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said:
It was a good meeting, we were reassured that we are protected here and it is probably the safest place in Saudi Arabia.
When asked if the decision was unanimous, Wolff replied: “Between the team principles, yes.”
Red Bull’s Christian Horner said: “Sport has to stand together collectively. Any act of terrorism cannot be condoned and the sport should not be bullied. Such a situation is simply not acceptable.”
“Stefano and the President will take care of it. We have all the assurances from the organizers and we can race.”
A statement from Saudi Motorsport Company released ahead of the latest meeting said: “We are aware of the attack on the Aramco sales station in Jeddah earlier this afternoon and are staying in touch with Saudi security authorities as well as F1 and the FIA ensure that all necessary safety and security measures continue to be implemented to ensure the safety of all visitors to the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix, as well as the drivers, teams and stakeholders.”
“The planned race weekend will continue as planned. The safety of all our guests remains our top priority and we look forward to welcoming fans to a weekend of world-class racing and entertainment.”
The drivers returned to their teams and were deep in conversation right after the end of the second practice session.
They then returned to F1 HQ where they were briefed on the incident and it is understood some drivers expressed concerns.
A military spokesman for the Houthi rebels – adding Reuters – said the organization claimed responsibility for an attack on Aramco’s facilities, which were hit with rockets, and on the Ras Tanura and Rabigh refineries with drones.
As the cars pulled onto the circuit for the first practice session, black smoke could be seen from a major fire at an Aramco oil company facility near Jeddah International Airport.
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen said he could smell “burning” while navigating in the first session.
Verstappen said over the team radio: “I smell a bit of a burning sensation. I’m not sure if it’s my car or another car.”
The Red Bull team’s engineers replied that his car was not the source of the smell.
Four days ago there had been a similar attack focused on the same oil depot. Reuters reported that there were no casualties and the fire was under control.
Referring to Sky Sports’ coverage of the event, Jenson Button said: “The attack, if it is an attack, sounds like it is related to their oil reserves, which has nothing to do with us.
“Obviously it’s worrying and for the people who aren’t here it’s even more worrying, the families of the people who are here in the paddock. So I hope my wife won’t be watching for once.”
All driver media sessions have been canceled for Friday night while teams discuss the announcement.
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