There were discussions with all drivers and the teams until late into the night, after the first day of training when the Formula 1 circus in Jeddah was startled by a rocket attack on an oil depot† Sports management and team bosses had already unanimously agreed to continue, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff confirmed to Sky Sports.
However, there appeared to be great division among the drivers, who held consultations for more than three hours. According to Formula 1 and the FIA, there has been an extensive discussion with all stakeholders, the Saudi government and security services. In addition, the drivers and teams were ultimately given ‘complete and more detailed assurance’ that the event is safe. It has been agreed with all parties that an open dialogue will remain possible during this event and in the future.
With that brief statement, the sport hopes to return to the sporting focus on the circuit on the Red Sea, where the third free practice session awaits this afternoon and qualifying tonight. Whether that will work remains to be seen, as a gigantic cloud of smoke still hangs over the city, as a reminder of yesterday’s attack, claimed by the Houthi rebels from Yemen.
It is expected that it will take another one or two days before the oil depot is completely burned out. A Saudi Arabia-led military coalition retaliated early this morning with air strikes on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah.