"The authorities have confirmed that the event can continue as planned," said the championship promoter, Formula 1, in a press release issued a few minutes after free practice 2, dominated by Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari).

Then the CEO of F1 Stefano Domenicali, the president of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) Mohammed Ben Sulayem and the local authorities received the drivers and team bosses to try to reassure them.

“We have received complete assurance that, for the country, security is a priority, Domenicali explained to the media after this meeting. the systems needed to protect this area, the city and the places we are going to. So we are confident (...) That is why we will continue with the event."

"What are they (the Houthis) targeting? Economic infrastructure, not civilians and not the circuit. We have checked the facts and we have high-level assurance that this place is secure. Security is assured, let's go run," added Ben Sulayem.

And Domecali denies with what seems a pirouette the rumor according to which certain pilots would not wish to continue: “they will be on the track, you will see”.

"in democracy"

The decision to continue was unanimous "among the Team Principals", developed Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

As for the pilots, they are free to make their choice, "we are in a democracy".

The attack on the Jeddah oil site is among 16 claimed by the Houthis on Friday, on the eve of the seventh anniversary of the intervention of the military coalition led by Riyadh in Yemen to support the government against rebels close to Iran.

It caused a gigantic fire and a cloud of black smoke visible from the circuit during free practice 1 at 5:00 p.m. local (3:00 p.m. French) and then.

"I smell a burning smell, is that my car?" Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull) even asked his team.

Formula 1: Saudi Arabia Grand Prix Kenan AUGEARD AFP

Already the fastest in the first practice session in 1 min 30 sec 772/1000, Leclerc, winner of the inaugural GP in Bahrain last week, increased his time to 1 min 30 sec 074/1000 at nightfall, in conditions for qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday.

He beat the defending champion, Verstappen, by 140/1000, his own Spanish teammate Carlos Sainz Jr by 246/1000 and the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull) by 286/1000.

The three were however shod with medium tires against soft tires, faster over one lap, for the Monegasque.

"Huge amount of work"

The Mercedes of Britons Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, also on soft tyres, followed in 5th and 6th position at 439 and 590/1000 respectively from the fastest.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen during the second free practice session of the Saudi Arabian GP in Jeddah, March 25, 2022 ANDREJ ISAKOVIC AFP

On the side of Red Bull, it was announced in the morning that they had solved the problem which caused the double abandonment of Verstappen and Pérez last week.

“We were able to reproduce at the factory what happened: a combination of factors created a vacuum” preventing the pumps from sucking the fuel and delivering it to the engine, explained Team Principal Christian Horner to l AFP.

“We have solutions in place which I hope will remedy this.”

At Mercedes, we are trying to overcome the lack of stability of the two single-seaters to catch up with the level of performance of the Ferraris and the Red Bulls.

"A huge amount of work has been done over the last three days," Hamilton said.

"We are aware of our problems, we are working on what is causing them to see how to fix them without losing performance and then, ultimately, gaining some. But three days between two races is so short that there will be no not a huge difference this weekend. But hopefully we'll have some things to try."

Monegasque Charles Leclerc at the wheel of his Ferrari leads free practice 2 of the Saudi Arabian GP in Jeddah on March 25, 2022 ANDREJ ISAKOVIC AFP

Finally, at Aston Martin, the German Nico Hülkenberg again replaces his compatriot Sebastian Vettel, who tested positive for Covid-19 last week.

The four-time world champion is set to make his return at the next round in Australia from April 8-10.

© 2022 AFP