Saudi Arabia Grand Prix thrown into chaos after missile attack near F1 track

Some drivers have reportedly raised “serious misgivings” about the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix continuing after a nearby terror attack which resulted in a massive fire ball.

Smoke and flames rise from a Saudi Aramco oil facility in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, on March 25, 2022, following a reported Yemeni rebels attack.

Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes are adamant “we are racing” despite four hours of discussions and the suggestion that not all drivers are happy to push on after a missile attack hit close to the Saudi Grand Prix track.

In the aftermath of the rebel terror attack, drivers, team principals, F1 bosses and race organisers spent hours in various groups discussing if and how things would proceed.

Shortly before 2am local time, drivers were left alone to talk amongst themselves with

George Russell – the only senior member of the GPDA in Saudi given Sebastian Vettel’s Covid diagnosis – then leaving his peers to meet with organisers, bosses and race control.

When asked for his thoughts, he said: “It’s not for me to say, right now.”

While Russell was coy, Pierre Gasly told French media: “We all got to give our opinion, we all know our plan, we are aligned.”

International media in Saudi reported drivers had “serious misgivings and that not everyone was happy” with the situation.

All meetings are over and the message is clear that "we are racing" this weekend, but it is clear not everyone is happy. #F1#SaudiArabianGP

— Bec Clancy (@becclancy) March 25, 2022

They were given extra information - exactly what is unclear at this stage - before coming to that conclusion. But there have been serious misgivings among them as a group before getting to this point

— Andrew Benson (@andrewbensonf1) March 25, 2022

Red Bull boss Christian Horner said the race would proceed.

“F1 will not be bullied,” he said. “The sport has to stand against this. No terrorism of this kind can be condoned. The sport must not be bullied in this way.

“We’re racing.”

Despite their many disagreements in last year’s tense and dramatic world championship, Horner and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff were united that the show must go on.

“We had a good meeting and we -- the team principals -- are all agreed on this to go ahead. This circuit is probably the safest place in Saudi Arabia at this moment,” said Wolff.

McLaren’s CEO Zak Brown echoed the sentiments of his peers.

Earlier, drivers and team bosses attended a meeting with race organisers and Formula One management in the paddock shortly before the second practice session.

The start of that run was delayed by 15 minutes before F1 boss Stefano Domenicali insisted the race weekend would continue.

The two heavyweight team bosses of the paddock were speaking at the end of the day’s practice sessions on the high-speed Jeddah street circuit.

Drivers’ meeting has finally broken up and they took the sneaky back door route out but GPDA director George Russell is heading across to the team principals’ meeting with Stefano Domenicali #F1#SaudiArabianGPpic.twitter.com/2CHOdSgTTn

— Ian Parkes (@ianparkesf1) March 25, 2022

Watch Every Practice, Qualifying & Race of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ Live, starting with the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix From March 18. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Smoke and flames rise from a Saudi Aramco oil facility in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, on March 25, 2022, following a reported Yemeni rebels attack

WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACK?

The Yemeni rebel attack on the Aramco facility set off a huge fire near the track during the televised practice sessions, part of a wave of assaults on Aramco facilities.

As smoke billowed, the second practice was delayed as F1 management, team bosses, drivers and race promoters discussed the attack.

“We have received total assurance on safety and security here, for the country and for the families,” said Domenicali.

“We have all put safety first to protect this area and the city where we are going.” He added: “This is a protected area and so we feel confident to trust the local authorities in this respect and we stand together in deciding to go ahead with this event.” Newly-elected Dubai-born president of the sport’s ruling body, the International Motoring Federation (FIA), Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The question is who are these rebels targeting? It is the economic infrastructure not civilians and not this track. We have high level assurance that this is a secure place and nothing is going to happen.” Aramco is a sponsor of the Aston Martin team.

Meanwhile, Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko also supported the decision to continue.

“If safety is guaranteed, we must go ahead. The Saudis have a defence system and, for some reason, the drone (missile) wasn’t intercepted. The rebels know they get a lot more publicity at a Grand Prix – that’s part of the concept.

“You shouldn’t let terrorism completely intimidate you in normal life. We should take a look now, and if security is guaranteed for the next two days, then we should go ahead.”

Meanwhile, on the track, Charles Leclerc topped the final practice times for Ferrari ahead of Verstappen.

10km. That’s the distance between the F1 festivities and the explosion from a missile launched from terrorists in Yemen #Saudi#FormulaOne#F1pic.twitter.com/zaQLreKsCu

— Seriously Fast Media (@Seriously_Fast) March 25, 2022

– ‘SAFETY MAIN PRIORITY’ –

The 24-year-old Monegasque driver and early-season leader of the embryonic championship clocked a best lap in one minute and 30.074 to outpace the Dutchman by nearly two-tenths.

Carlos Sainz was third in the second Ferrari and Sergio Perez fourth in his Red Bull with a determined Lewis Hamilton fifth ahead of his new Mercedes team-mate George Russell after a day of bumping and sliding on the high-speed circuit.

After the 15-minute delay, Leclerc, who won the season-opener in Bahrain last week, picked up where he had in opening practice by setting the early pace again.

Both Sainz and Hamilton complained of “porpoising” before the two Red Bulls joined the action, Verstappen going third but more than a second off the leading pace.

Verstappen then clocked the top time, 0.002 ahead of Leclerc as most of the field moved to soft tyres, the Monegasque reclaiming his perch with a lap in 1:30.074, nearly two-tenths quicker.

Shortly after this, Kevin Magnussen reported an engine problem with his Haas and came to a halt at Turn 14.

That brought a brief Virtual Safety Car (VSC) deployment before, on resumption, Leclerc clipped a wall with the left front wheel of his Ferrari.

He trundled back to the pits and out of the session just as the race promoters Saudi Motorsport issued a statement confirming the Grand Prix would go ahead as planned.

Smoke and flames rise from a Saudi Aramco oil facility in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, on March 25, 2022, following a reported Yemeni rebels attack.

– ‘AWARE OF PROBLEM’ –

“The race weekend schedule will continue as planned. The safety and security of all our guests continues to be our main priority and we look forward to welcoming fans for a weekend of premium racing and entertainment,” they said.

Ferrari also issued a statement to confirm that both Leclerc and Sainz had been “kissing the wall” and were out of the session due to damage.

Friday’s attack comes as the Saudi authorities continue to face accusations of trying to “sportswash” the country’s controversial human rights record.

Drivers say they are “aware of the problems”, said McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo. “But I think by coming here we also have a chance to create change or have a positive influence.” Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton added: “We don’t decide where we go, but we’re duty-bound to try and do what we can while we are here.”

Smoke and flames rise from a Saudi Aramco oil facility in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, on March 25, 2022, following a reported Yemeni rebels attack

HAMILTON’S MIND BLOWING STORY

Lewis Hamilton again used the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to spotlight the country’s record on rights, adding that he had heard “mind-blowing” accounts.

Before last year’s race, Hamilton said he was “not comfortable” racing in Saudi Arabia.

On Friday, the seven-time world champion again said he believed it was important to raise awareness.

“My position is still the same as when I spoke on this last year. There is not really a lot that I can say that is going to make any difference.” “The sport has taken the choice to be here and, whether it is right or wrong, I think that while we are here, again, it is important we try to raise awareness,” he said.

“We don’t decide where we go, but we’re duty-bound to try and do what we can while we are here. It is not necessarily our responsibility, but we try and do what we can.” Last year in Jeddah, Hamilton mentioned women’s rights. That race also came shortly after he wore a helmet in the Qatar Grand Prix decked in a rainbow in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

This year his comments came less than two weeks after the reported execution of 81 people on March 12 in Saudi Arabia.

He said on Friday that one 14-year-old had reached out to him with a harrowing letter.

“It is obviously mind-blowing to hear the stories,” Hamilton said. “I have heard there is a letter that has been sent to me, for example, from a 14-year-old that is on death row.

“At 14, you don’t know what the hell you are doing in life...” “I think it is important we try to educate ourselves and with a little bit of difference, we can try to make sure we are doing something. But, ultimately, it is the responsibility of those that are in power to really make the changes and we are not really seeing enough. We need to see more.”