Saudi Arabia Grand Prix Continues Despite Rocket Attack

After hours of consultation between the drivers, team bosses and leaders of Formula 1, it has been decided to continue the race weekend in Saudi Arabia, despite some safety concerns. Initially, after consultation with the top of F1, the team bosses agreed to continue the race, but there was clearly still division among the drivers.

The drivers consulted for hours, occasionally with visits from team bosses and F1 leaders. At 1:00 a.m. Dutch time, it came out that the drivers have now also agreed, various sources in the paddock report, including The Telegraph and the BBC† It was already 3:00 am in Jeddah by then. The drivers would be convinced by the top of F1 that it is safe enough.

The drivers met behind closed doors for hours. (Photo: ANP)

It seems that some drivers resisted the earlier decision of the F1 top and team bosses and then crisis deliberation was necessary until the dead of night. An unprecedented situation. It is not known exactly how many drivers were for or against progress of the race weekend. In any case, it is clear that some people are afraid of it. After all, during the first free practice session on Friday afternoon, less than 20 km from the circuit, a rocket hit an Aramco oil refinery. Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed the attack and attacks were also reported elsewhere in Saudi Arabia. The enormous plume of smoke from the fire that followed the oil storage was clearly visible from the track.