Formula 1 Saudi Arabian GP
Saudi Arabian GP remains on after risk of F1 driver boycott headed off
Formula 1’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is all set to continue after the threat of a drivers’ boycott was headed off on Friday night.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Mar 26, 2022, 8:24 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
After an intense day triggered by a missile attack by the Houthi armed political movement (known as the Houthis) on an oil facility near the Jeddah track during first free practice, the fate of the race hung in the balance late on Friday amid unease from drivers about the situation.
During lengthy talks that stretched on for more than four hours, the drivers spoke with senior F1 figures and team principals to express their anxieties about matters.
First, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and F1 managing director of motorsport Ross Brawn were summoned to the drivers’ meeting, before team principals were then asked to attend. The team bosses then had further follow-up talks with Domenicali while the drivers continued their discussions that lasted until around 2.20am.
And while there was the possibility of drivers electing not to compete because they were unhappy with the situation, sources with good knowledge of the discussions say that in the end their concerns were addressed.
It is unclear exactly what assurances were given to the drivers, and what information they requested, but it is understood that the drivers in the end agreed to race on.
Stefano Domenicali, CEO, Formula 1, Mohammed bin Sulayem, President, FIA, leave the media centre
Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images
The unprecedented discussions with the drivers came after Domenicali had assured team bosses about security guarantees at the Jeddah venue. He said that F1 was happy to carry on with the race because of promises given to it by Saudi officials.
“We have received total assurances that, for the country, safety is first, no matter the situation – safety has to be guaranteed,” he said. “They [local officials] are here with their families, actually here at the track, so they have in place all the systems to protect this area, the city and the places we are going.
“So we feel confident and we have to trust the local authority in that respect. Therefore of course we will go ahead with the event.”
Read Also:
- Second Jeddah F1 practice delayed after emergency meeting
- F1 Grand Prix practice results: Leclerc fastest in Saudi Arabian GP on Friday
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Domenicali: F1 promised Saudi Arabian GP will be safe
Next article F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying – Start time, how to watch, channel
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
Chevrolet's 1st through 6th sweep at Talladega was its first since 2013
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
1 h
Chevrolet's 1st through 6th sweep at Talladega was its first since 2013
NASCAR warned nearly the full field at Talladega for minimum speed violations
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
4 h
NASCAR warned nearly the full field at Talladega for minimum speed violations
Carson Hocevar credits tow truck driver for saving his race at Talladega
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Talladega II
8 h
Carson Hocevar credits tow truck driver for saving his race at Talladega
Brad Keselowski to address questions about NASCAR future and RFK exit at Martinsville
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Martinsville II
9 h
Brad Keselowski to address questions about NASCAR future and RFK exit at Martinsville
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe