F1 intends to keep racing the Saudi Arabian GP
Mar.30 - Formula 1 intends to keep racing in Saudi Arabia.
After reluctantly agreeing to continue with last weekend's event in Jeddah following nearby drone and missile attacks, the drivers said they were looking forward to much-needed talks about the future of the deal beyond 2022.
"Formula 1 has promised to reconsider their choices for some grands prix," said Valtteri Bottas.
"We have to go to circuits where our safety can be guaranteed 100 percent."
The Finn said "everyone" in the driver meeting was of the same opinion - even though the team bosses themselves were reportedly unified in wanting to race on.
De Telegraaf newspaper now reports that those official talks will take place prior to next weekend's Australian GP, adding that the sport has the "intention to return to Jeddah".
"The Formula 1 leadership hopes to provide the teams and drivers with more information about the measures taken in Jeddah before the next GP in Australia," claims Dutch journalist Erik van Haren.
His report added that Formula 1 was "unable" to provide all the "sensitive" details of the Saudi security measures last weekend, but officials now want to reveal that information "as soon as possible".
Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko told Servus TV: "In our camp, it was decided to keep racing quite quickly.
"You can't just back down to these rebels, otherwise you'd have problems in every country," he said.
"But if you stand up to these kinds of actions, you must have assurance from the government. They explained to us that such a drone attack has never cost a human life and that no one was in danger," Austrian Marko explained.
"The race management was of course sceptical, but the government indicated that it had been a problem for years and that we could race."
Williams boss Jost Capito dismissed the comparison between Russia having its race permanently axed and the fact that Saudi Arabia's long and lucrative contract appears to be safe.
"It's different when a country invades another country versus whether something happens with terrorists," he insisted.
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
Wrong question , the question should be, why are they retaliating and hitting targets in SA ?
As for Capito, are they terrorists ? are they ?
Assurances from the Saudi Gov..no , no . no we don't know what happened to Khashoggi, really we don't, ermmm well ok we do, but please, let us invite you to our wonderful country to race
Ok its journos doing there bit to sell space, but just how informed is the F1 community about the Yemen V Saudi ?, naw who cares "its a motor race Toto, we went racing OK"
Spot on, Shrop'. A rare moment of sanity. :)
Problem is you'd have to rule out any future China GP's as well as the middle east and Turkey too. Probably South America's too
Doc: "You can't just back down to these rebels, otherwise you'd have problems in every country," he said.
We're not here to fight a war. We're here to have a motor race. Uh, "every country", I don't think so doc.
Many years ago I did a race in Venezuela. Soldiers with automatic weapons all around the circuit and in the paddock. It took a bit of fun out of the weekend.
f1award is right. China is the biggest human rights violator. Brazil is not much better. They have been accused of rounding up street children to make the government look better during the Olympics. Really? Children? Saudi practices Sharia law, end of sentence. They have always hadb severe punishments. Nothing new. The U.N. Has claimed the US has violated human rights. So where will F1 race?
Brands Hatch and 'stone every other weekend, with one trip to Monaco and Spa if I had my way. :)
Excellent logic Sir Ror, have a knighthood on me
let's face it Most of the time f1 only goes to theses dodgy/dictator run countries because of the money they offer .
So we are back to $$ again capitalism mmmm, don't you just love it
Never mind dodgy countries , Viva Las Vegas..
Formula 1: Las Vegas to host grand prix from 2023 - third yearly race in United States
Shrop', apologies to you and everyone else 'over there' for another tawdry venue.
We really do have some great tracks in the US.....honest. Embarrassing.
its MAD America has 3, and Germany NONE, i reckon there's going to be a few large bonuses paid to Liberty board very soon, oh i believe you Ror, what i don't understand and i've said it before , tht the Car firms should club together and buy Hock and or Nur, for marketing its a no brainer.....
Bit of waste then as they've rubbish drivers, cars/teams too for that matter
From the FIA perspective, it would be hard to turn down millions of dollars from anyone. Let’s get real, few professional sports can be that much if a purest. It’s a business, it runs on capital. Sad but true.
✅ Checkout the latest 50 F1 Fans comments.