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F1 racing is underway in Saudi Arabia a day after the nearby attack



JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia – Formula 1 drivers arrived at the track in Saudi Arabia as scheduled on Saturday after receiving “detailed assurances” about their safety the day after the attack. attack on the kingdom of Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

F1 The race is confirmed to continue with practice and a third qualifying round on Saturday followed by a race on Sunday despite the attack on an oil depot located about 11 kilometers (seven miles) from the track. Friday’s attack happened during the first practice session, and 20 drivers have met in lengthy talks in the past 2 me to discuss safety concerns.

“Yesterday was a difficult day for Formula One and a stressful day for Formula One drivers, grand opening The Drivers Association said in a statement on Saturday. “We had long discussions between ourselves, with our team principals and with the most senior people who run our sport. A lot of opinions were shared and debated. “

Ferrari Principal Mattia Binotto said it was important to listen to the driver but the decision to proceed was the right one.

“It’s been a long night but let’s focus on the facts first. We know that this is not the first time it has happened in this country and in this region,” he said. “Leaving the country wouldn’t be the right choice.”

Binotto said the entire Ferrari team had agreed to stay.

“No one has left and no one has asked to leave,” he said.

The other team principals spoke to the media on Saturday – Andreas Seidl (McLaren), Guenther Steiner (Haas), Jost Capito (Williams) and Mike Krack (Aston Martin) – also indicates no driver or team member requested to leave. But they all said they wouldn’t be stopped if they asked.

“You can’t make someone drive when they’re uncomfortable,” says Krack.

In an earlier statement, F1 and the governing body FIA confirmed that “after discussions with all teams and drivers”, the Grand Prix “will continue as scheduled.”

“Following the widely reported incident that took place in Jeddah on Friday, there was extensive discussion among all parties involved, Saudi government agencies and security agencies, who has given complete and detailed assurances that the event is safe,” the statement said.

F1 added that it was agreed “with all stakeholders to maintain a clear and open dialogue throughout the event and for the future.”

The top three drivers speak to the media after qualifying and the team principal.

The Houthis acknowledged Friday night’s attacks, and Saudi state TV called it a “hostile operation”. The Jiddah oil depot caught fire when it was attacked during the first training session on Friday. It has sparked a raging fire that has shaken drivers enough to hold extraordinary talks regarding F1’s presence in Saudi Arabia.

Many drivers expressed concern about racing in the area and Saudi Arabia’s human rights record when F1 held its inaugural event at the circuit last December. Now back on the track a little over three months later, tension runs high between attacks.

Conversations between driver, team principal and F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali from late into Friday night focused on safety and security conditions.

Friday’s second practice session was postponed by 15 minutes because of an earlier driver meeting that included Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the newly elected FIA president.

Race promoter Saudi Motorsport Company said earlier on Friday that the weekend schedule had not been changed. The drivers only left the track for just a few hours before they returned.

Attack on North Jiddah Bulk Factory, the same fuel depot that the Houthis had attacked five days earlier. The factory is located just southeast of the city’s international airport, an important hub for Muslim pilgrims to Mecca.

Botanical shop diesel oil, gasoline and jet fuel for use in the kingdom’s second largest city. It accounts for more than a quarter of Saudi Arabia’s supply and also provides vital fuel to run a desalination plant in the region.

The Houthis have twice targeted the North Jiddah factory with cruise missiles. One attack occurred in November 2020. The second attack was on Sunday as part of a broader offensive by the Houthis.

An Associated Press photojournalist reporting on Friday’s first training session saw smoke rising in the distance to the east, shortly after 5:40 p.m. local time and about 20 minutes since the end of the first practice session. first. As the flame rose, the tops of the bulk plant’s tanks were clearly visible.

The Drivers’ Association said: “When it comes to smoke from the incident, it is difficult to maintain a rider’s full concentration and allay human concerns.

In addition, a Saudi-led coalition against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched a series of airstrikes in Yemen’s capital and a strategic Red Sea city, officials said Saturday. Overnight air strikes on Sanaa and Hodeida – both held by the Houthis – followed a rebel attack on an oil depot in Jiddah.

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