After the explosion on Friday’s practice session in Jeddah and hours of discussion about whether and how the Formula 1 weekend should continue, it seemed to take its course quite normally. But behind the scenes, not everyone is said to have been happy with the decision, especially among the drivers.
Nevertheless, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff emphasizes that the talks took place without any pressure from the team representatives on the drivers. “There was no pressure from our side, the talks were good,” says the Austrian.
“When the team principals spoke to the riders what we discussed made sense and wasn’t pressure at all but maybe that was perceived differently. In the end the show and the spectacle was amazing and what we’ve delivered as a sport, was great. That’s what the sport should do.”
Wolff: No one in the team is seriously concerned
At the same time, Wolff assures that every driver and every other team member would have been free to go home due to the circumstances. “If we’re racing here and a team member decides that they don’t want to compete, they’re of course free to do so,” said Wolff.
“I think the drivers were pretty much in agreement in the first discussions, but talking to us and the officials, we were able to convince them that it’s best to race. And as for the team members, there was in mine Not a single team member who was worried in any way.”
In this context, the Formula 1 team boss also points out that none of the government employees and their families have left the site. “These attacks were mainly aimed at the infrastructure,” says Wolff.
Mercedes team boss sees positive changes
“As far as I can remember, there hasn’t been an attack on Saudi Arabia that has claimed civilian lives for a long time,” he says. “So we just have to understand that culturally this is very different than what we see in our western cultures.”
“Is it acceptable for us to race ten miles from an exploding drone rocket? Certainly not. But here, within their cultures, these things happen.”
As for the general situation in Saudi Arabia, Wolff sees progress: “To be honest, I’ve seen changes in the five years I’ve been here. And I repeat what I said before: we’re there , where we are, but there is still so much to do. A lot.”
Formula 1 remains open to driver concerns
Because of the human rights situation on the ground, Formula 1 is repeatedly criticized for driving in countries like Saudi Arabia. The sport itself argues that its presence can bring about positive changes in the country.
But with the explosion on Friday, the safety of the drivers on the track came into focus for the first time. Following the said conversation about the driver association GPDA, they stated that there were “natural human concerns”, which, however, were ultimately resolved.
However, some drivers were of the opinion that the future of the Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia should be discussed after the race weekend. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali then said the racing series was “not blind” to concerns about continuing to hold races in Saudi Arabia.
Wolff: “Sport can make it a better place”
At the same time, the Italian emphasized that Formula 1 also “plays a very important role in the modernization of this country”. Wolff agrees: You have to “give people the chance to improve”. The sport is helping to put the spotlight on the problems in Saudi Arabia.
“Does Saudi Arabia and some of the other countries in the Middle East share the same values and culture as we do in Europe? No, they don’t. “Are they where we want them to be? No,” admits the Mercedes team boss.
“Can we, by coming here, draw attention to this place, by racing Formula 1 here, by making these issues visible and thereby making this place a better place? I still believe in that.”