Formula 1 drivers hope a "difficult" Friday won't overshadow the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend.
Concerns over the race were raised after a missile attack by Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen on a nearby Aramco oil facility, causing black smoke to rise over the Jeddah Corniche Circuit during Practice 1.
Assurances over safety and security by Saudi organisers led the FIA, F1 and team bosses to unanimously agree to continue the event.
Joint statement on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix pic.twitter.com/xsyYpvVmhB
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 26, 2022
However, a potential boycott by the drivers was narrowly avoided following lengthy talks that went well into Saturday morning at the circuit.
“Yesterday was a difficult day for Formula 1 and a stressful day for us Formula 1 drivers,” read a Grand Prix Drivers Association statement.
“Perhaps it is hard to comprehend if you have never driven an F1 car on this fast and challenging Jeddah track, but on seeing the smoke from the incident it was difficult to remain a fully focused race driver and erase natural human concerns.
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“Consequently we went into long discussions between ourselves, with our team principals, and with the most senior people who run our sport.
“A large variety of opinions were shared and debated and, having listened not only to the Formula 1 powers, but also to the Saudi government ministers who explained how security measures were being elevated to the maximum, the outcome was a resolution that we would practice and qualify today, and race tomorrow.
“We therefore hope that the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be remembered as a good race rather than for the incident that took place yesterday.”
Despite the desire to get on with the racing, a nervy weekend no doubt lies ahead in Jeddah.
