SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX TO GO AHEAD AS PLANNED DESPITE HOUTHIS ATTACK

Sat 26 March 2022:

Despite a Houthi rebel strike on an oil complex in Yemen that resulted in a massive fire visible from Jeddah’s street circuit, the Saudi Arabian Formula One Grand Prix will go on as planned on Sunday.

On Friday, flames blasted across the Aramco oil refinery, and race participants even smelled the blaze during the first practice run.

“Formula 1 and the FIA [International Motoring Federation] can confirm that following discussions with all the teams and drivers, the 2022 FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will continue as scheduled,” the racing body said in a statement on Saturday.

“There has been extensive discussion between all stakeholders, the Saudi government authorities, and security agencies who have given full and detailed assurances that the event is secure.”

Drivers held nearly four hours of meetings with team bosses and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and Managing Director Ross Brawn into the early hours of Saturday on whether to go ahead with the race.

“Ready and totally focused for tomorrow’s qualy!” Mexican driver Sergio Perez of Red Bull tweeted after the long meetings.

Domenicali earlier insisted the weekend would continue as planned.

“Formula 1 has been in close contact with the relevant authorities following the situation that took place today,” an F1 spokesman said after the second practice session on Friday night. “The authorities have confirmed that the event can continue as planned.”

Domenicali and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the newly elected president of the sport’s ruling body the International Motoring Federation (FIA), met drivers and team bosses to try to reassure them.

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

World champion Max Verstappen was one of the first drivers to be aware of the drama unfolding while he guided his Red Bull team through the first practice session.

“I smell burning – is it my car?” said the Dutchman on his team radio.

The assault on Friday was part of a spate of attacks leading up to the seventh anniversary of a Saudi-led coalition’s military involvement in Yemen against the Houthis, which has been dubbed as the world’s worst humanitarian disaster.

The attack on the Jeddah oil plant was confirmed by the coalition fighting Iran-aligned insurgents.

“They are trying to impact the nerve-centre of the world economy,” the coalition said in a statement. “These attacks have no impact on life in Jeddah.”

The alliance said it launched retaliatory strikes against Yemen’s capital Sanaa and the port city of Hodeidah early Saturday.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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