“Security is assured, let’s go racing”: the Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix continues “as planned” despite the attacks committed Friday in the country, in particular on an oil installation near the Jeddah circuit, claimed by the Yemeni rebels Houthis .
“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).
The circuit not specifically targeted
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 told the media after the meeting.
They (the Saudi officials, editor's note) are on the circuit with their families and they have put in place all the necessary systems to protect this area, the city and the places where we are going.
We are therefore confident (…) This is why we are going to continue the event.
»
“What are they (the Houthis, editor’s note) aiming for?
The economic infrastructures, not the civilians and not the circuit.
We have checked the facts and have high level assurance that this place is secure.
Security is assured, let's go running, ”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”.
"The drivers will be on the track"
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 something burning, is that my car?
“, even asked the Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull) to his team.
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.
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Saudi Arabia
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