The pilots forced a tense summit for more than four hours to discuss whether to go ahead with the grand prize after the missile from Yemen’s rebels.
The Formula 1 lived the longest and most tense night in its recent history in Saudi Arabia. Despite promises of maximum security by the organizers of the grand prix, the Saudi defense could not prevent one of the missiles launched by Houthi insurgents of Yemen hit a refinery, just 16 kilometers from the circuit of Jeddah Cornichecausing a monumental fire in the facilities of aramcoChampionship sponsor. The column of smoke could be seen from the track, while the single-seaters continued to roll, since the attack occurred during the first free practice sessions.
Despite the incident, F1 and the FIA insisted that the ‘great circus’ was not in any danger: “The authorities have confirmed that the objective is not civilians or the grand prix, only Aramco & rdquor ;, repeated the presidents of the FIA , Mohammed Ben Sulayemand F1Stefano Domenicali.
mutiny feint
After a emergency summit with teams and drivers, it was agreed to also run free practice 2 and meet again at the end of the day. The team leaders were convinced by the arguments of F1 and the promoters of the race, but not the drivers, who starred in a threat of mutiny and they held an endless meeting, lasting almost four hours, which ended after three in the morning in Jeddah.
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George Russel, rotating president of the Pilots Association in the absence of sebastian vettel, He reconfirmed that they agreed to compete for the grand prize. But beyond the final decision, the strong posture of the pilots made it clear to what extent some of them are tired of being the ‘clowns’ of the circus and of the economic pressures to which they are subjected by the high levels of their sport.
final statement
This Saturday morning, F1 and FIA released a statement confirming that the Saudi GP goes ahead. At the same time, the drivers’ association issued another message: “It is difficult to understand how complicated it is to drive an F1 in Jeddah, but with the smoke from the incident it is difficult to maintain concentration and eliminate worries. long discussions between us, with team managers and sport directors, various views were shared and discussed. The Saudi authorities were also heard. We agreed that there would be qualifying and a race. We hope that the Arabian GP will be remembered for a Great race and not because of the incident on Friday.