The remainder of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go ahead as planned following a lengthy meeting of Formula 1 drivers on Friday night.
Safety concerns were raised in Jeddah after a missile attack on an Aramco distribution plant roughly 10km from the Corniche, where the circuit for the race is located.
Black smoke was seen rising into the sky during first practice in the afternoon, with the fire still raging as the cars headed back out for the second session under the floodlights in the evening.
Initially, it appeared the situation had been resolved with the FIA, F1 and team bosses unanimously agreeing to continue participating based on reassurances on safety and security by Saudi race organisers.
STATEMENT? pic.twitter.com/YZxqdY2AsU
— Saudi Motorsport Company (@SAUDIMOTORSPORT) March 25, 2022
However, the drivers then embarked on a GPDA meeting that lasted over four hours and well into Saturday morning, with F1 and team bosses drafted back in to join them.
Eventually, a potential boycott was avoided and the decision has been made to continue racing for the rest of the weekend.