For Formula 1, the Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia is playing with fire.

Despite the rocket attack by Yemeni Houthi rebels on a plant belonging to the energy giant Aramco near the track in Jeddah, the bosses of the racing series are holding on to the second round of the season on Sunday (7:00 p.m. CET in the FAZ live ticker for Formula 1 and on Sky).

"Following discussions with all teams and drivers, Formula 1 and the FIA ​​​​(World Motor Sport Association/ed.Red.) can confirm that the Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia will take place as planned," said Formula 1 on Saturday.

The statement continued: "Following the well-known incident in Jeddah on Friday, there have been extensive discussions with all parties involved, the Saudi government and security agencies, who have given a full and detailed assurance that the event is safe.

It was agreed that everyone involved would remain in open dialogue about the race and the future.”

The organizer had already made a similar statement previously.

"The program of the race weekend will take place as planned," confirmed the Saudi Motorsport Company shortly after the shock at Friday practice.

The fire at the oil factory of Formula 1's main sponsor Aramco was still visible from afar during the night, and in the morning there was still a cloud of smoke that was visible from afar and rose into the cloudless sky above the attack site.

The war that Saudi Arabia is waging against the Houthi rebels in neighboring Yemen has suddenly come very close to the racing series.

Saudi Arabia has long been criticized for the conflict that triggered one of the biggest humanitarian catastrophes of the moment.

The organizers announced that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure the safety of the race.

"We are delighted to be able to welcome the fans to a weekend of high-class motorsport and entertainment," the statement said.

"We have received assurances that this place is safe," said World Federation chief Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

This was preceded by urgent talks with security authorities and the Saudi government.

"We were assured that we are protected here," said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

So it was unanimously decided to continue.

But obviously it wasn't that easy.

The drivers discussed what was happening late into the night at 2:30 a.m. local time.

It is not known how many and which pilots expressed concerns about safety.

Formula 1 managing director Stefano Domenicali and sports director Ross Brawn discussed longer with the drivers, later team bosses came back.

The drivers' association GPDA spoke in a statement of a "difficult day for Formula 1 and a stressful one for Formula 1 drivers".

With the cloud of smoke in front of one's eyes, it was difficult to stay fully focused on racing on the demanding high-speed circuit.

That's why we discussed until late at night.

A large number of options were discussed.

After Saudi Arabian government officials said security measures would be "raised to the maximum," the pilots finally decided to get in the car on Saturday and Sunday.

"It's not normal," said Red Bull Motorsport Director Helmut Marko.

Just a few weeks ago, the racing series canceled the contracts with Russia for the planned Grand Prix in Sochi and St. Petersburg because of the war in Ukraine.

“Who could have imagined that such a war is possible in Europe.

Where is it safe and where is it no longer safe?” said Marko, also under the impression of what happened in Jeddah.

Former world champion Damon Hill criticized the Formula 1 leadership for their handling of the explosion near the circuit.

"How inappropriate is that?

Nothing to worry about.

The race is on.

(...) Formula 1 is literally playing with fire," wrote the 61-year-old Brit, who works as an expert for Sky UK, on ​​Twitter.

Meanwhile, Sky expert Ralf Schumacher is on his way back to Munich to comment on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

"If we're on time, it should still work with FP3," wrote the former Formula 1 driver on Instagram on Saturday with a view to the third free practice session at 3:00 p.m. German time.

Reporter Peter Hardenacke, however, remains on site and reported on Saturday: "It's a strange feeling after we found out about this explosion yesterday," said the TV journalist.

As confirmed by the pay TV broadcaster, Schumacher and commentator Sascha Roos decided to return to Munich after consulting the editors.

Schumacher had already expressed himself very critically on Friday and, after the attack on an oil plant belonging to Formula 1's main sponsor Aramco, pleaded for the race to be canceled.

Despite the explosions and a large cloud of smoke a few kilometers from the paddock, Formula 1 initially held its second practice session on Friday.

The guest performance in Saudi Arabia was previously criticized.

The kingdom is accused of serious human rights violations.

The country just executed 81 people in a single day.

World champion Lewis Hamilton described the reports of Saudi human rights abuses as "elusive".

The sport took a backseat to Friday's chilling images.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc was the fastest in practice, closely followed by Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.

For qualifying on Saturday (6:00 p.m. CEST in the FAZ live ticker for Formula 1 and on Sky), a close duel between world championship leader Leclerc and world champion Verstappen for pole position is expected again.

But most of the conversations in the paddock initially revolve around completely different topics.