Saudi Ministers Promise ‘Maximum Security’ as Russell-Led GPDA Reveal Its Final Decision on Jeddah F1 Race

Formula 1 is all set to go ahead in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, amid the explosion near the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Charles Leclerc and Ferrari are in the driving seat after an impressive FP1 and FP2 sessions. Leclerc topped the charts in both sessions. However, the major story revolved around the explosion and smoke witnessed during free practice 1.

Drivers and teams alike were rightly concerned about their safety. Hence, there was an exclusive meeting between the drivers and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, which lasted over four hours. And they concluded the meeting with a decision to continue racing with security deemed as the highest priority. Following the incident, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association (GPDA) released a statement.

The statement by the GPDA

A highly important meeting took place between the drivers and team principals, along with the F1 officials after FP2. The intention would have been to discuss the explosion near the circuit. Everyone was visibly concerned by it and hoped to resolve the situation. According to reports, the meeting went on until 2:20 am local time when they could finally conclude to go racing his week.

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Meanwhile, the GPDA director George Russell reportedly spoke to the team principals after the meeting between the drivers ended. He conveyed their decision to continue as scheduled after Formula 1 officials assured them of their safety.

The GDPA Chairman Alex Wurz on behalf of the drivers released the statement. A part of the statement read, “Yesterday was a difficult day for Formula One and a stressful day for us drivers. 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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“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. 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 practise and qualify today and race tomorrow.”

Earlier, drivers witnessed a glimmer of smoke around the circuit during the FP1 session. So, the drivers and teams will hope their safety is the primary concern as briefed by the Saudi Arabian ministers and higher officials of Formula 1. All the parties involved in the Grand Prix will hope for a safe qualifying session, and the race on Sunday.