The Saudi authorities had assured that the Grand Prix could take place as planned, the racing series announced on Friday evening. “We will remain in close contact with the authorities and all teams and are closely monitoring the situation,” it said in a statement. After a hastily convened meeting with all the drivers and team bosses, the decision was made to start the second practice session with a slight delay of 15 minutes.
Previously, at the end of the first Formula 1 practice session, an explosion and a huge cloud of smoke a few kilometers away triggered new concerns in the paddock. Yemeni Houthi rebels said they had once again targeted a plant owned by the Aramco oil company in another rocket attack. Saudi state television also confirmed a “hostile operation” by Houthi rebels near Jeddah.
Formula 1 boss: “Authorities assure that there are no further safety concerns”
Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali confirmed in a meeting with all drivers and team bosses called at short notice that the Grand Prix could be held. “He assured us that the authorities were investigating the incident and that there were no further safety concerns,” McLaren team boss Andreas Seidl told Sky TV. You have to trust this information. However, Seidl admitted that it was “a very worrying situation for all of us”.
Just last Sunday, the rebels launched attacks against Saudi Arabia with a missile and drones. An Aramco plant in Jeddah was also hit, and fire broke out at an oil tank.
Saudi Arabia is fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The war has triggered one of the greatest current humanitarian catastrophes. Aramco is the main sponsor of Formula 1 and also an important sponsor of the British racing team Aston Martin, for which Sebastian Vettel drives. Vettel had to forego the trip to Jeddah because of a corona infection. Like at the start in Bahrain, his compatriot Nico Hulkenberg stepped in as a substitute.
Leclerc fastest
However, the sporting preparation for the second race of the season became a minor matter due to the events off the track. Charles Leclerc, who had led Ferrari to a double success the previous week, relegated champion Verstappen to second place in both training sessions. For the qualification on Saturday (6 p.m. / Sky), the two 24-year-olds are again the favorites – if they drive.
Saudi Arabia is considered to be quite safe compared to other countries in the region, but there have also been several terrorist attacks there. At the end of 2020, the Islamic State terrorist militia claimed responsibility for an attack on a ceremony in Jeddah, in which two people were injured. Strict safety regulations usually apply to major events such as sporting events in the country.
criticism of Saudi Arabia
The selection of Saudi Arabia as Formula 1 host had already triggered heavy criticism before the race debuted last December. The kingdom is accused of serious human rights violations. Most recently, the country executed 81 people in one day.
In an interview with the German Press Agency before the Grand Prix, climate activist Luisa Neubauer accused Formula 1 of being inconsistent with human rights violations. “They also pull the sport into a corner where it doesn’t have to be, and with it the fans and sports enthusiasts,” said Neubauer, who is one of the leading figures in the Fridays for Future movement.
Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali had described the reports of the mass executions as “alarming”. But he also said: “The fact that we are there puts the spotlight on issues that would otherwise be in the news elsewhere.”
Source: dpa