The TV expert left the country after the terrorist attack near the Jeddah route. Ralf Schumacher has now commented on his decision.
Sky expert Ralf Schumacher returned to Munich after a rocket hit near the Formula 1 race track in Jeddah to comment on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. “There are so many things in Saudi Arabia that I don’t think are right. I can’t support them, that’s why I drove. But that’s my personal decision,” said Schumacher on Saturday.
As the pay-TV broadcaster confirmed, Schumacher and commentator Sascha Roos had decided to leave early after consultation with the editors. Sky also gave its other employees the freedom to stay in Saudi Arabia or to travel back. After their arrival in Germany, Schumacher and Roos joined the live report during the final practice session of Formula 1 on Saturday afternoon.
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. The Houthi rebels, against whom Saudi Arabia is at war in Yemen, took responsibility for the attack.
Despite the explosions and a large cloud of smoke a few kilometers from the paddock, after hours of discussions with the drivers, Formula 1 decided not to cancel the race. Saudi Arabia is also heavily criticized internationally for human rights violations and numerous executions.