Tension in Formula 1: The pilots met to discuss not showing up to run after the missile attack near the circuit in Saudi Arabia

In the last few hours, a piece of news generated uncertainty in the world of Formula 1. Shortly after the start of the first free practice session of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the second date of the 2022 calendar for the top category of motorsport, a column of black smoke caught the attention of those present at the Jeddah circuit.

As the minutes passed, it became known that one of the facilities of the Aramco oil company, the global sponsor of F1, was attacked by missiles from the Houthi, the Yemeni rebels. The place is located near the international airport of the Arab city and about 20 kilometers from the route where a new day of the season will be run this Sunday.

As the day went on, Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, team managers and drivers met to learn details of what happened and what will be the steps to follow after the attack that took place very close to the circuit.

But when it seemed that all roads indicated that the normal schedule of the weekend would continue, the protagonists of the grid led a meeting that lasted more than five hours and in which they intended to cancel the activity for the remainder of the weekend.

At one point during the talk, the drivers requested the return of Domenicali and several of the team leaders such as Toto Wolff, from Mercedes, or Christian Horner, from Red Bull, to deepen their dialogue regarding the future of the weekend in Saudi Arabia. What's more, the one who also joined the meeting that lasted into the early morning at the Jeddah circuit was Ross Brawn, the technical director of Formula 1.

After that, the pilots were left alone again and decided to continue with the activity. The vote was not unanimous and the Grand Prix will continue as scheduled for the remainder of Saturday and Sunday in the Arab country, unless there is another dangerous situation such as the one that ended with the explosion at the oil installation.

Before the riders decided to get together in solitude, an official statement was issued after the general meeting confirming that the event will continue on schedule. “Formula 1 has been in close contact with the competent authorities following the situation that occurred today. The authorities have confirmed that the event can continue as planned and we will continue to be in close contact with them and with all the teams and will monitor the situation closely”, established the category after the meeting in which the organization and the FIA participated.

For its part, the Saudi Motorsport Company, in charge of the event in Saudi Arabia, issued a statement in which it ensured the safety of all participants of the Grand Circus and that the programming of the weekend would continue as established.

“We are aware of the attack that took place at the Aramco oil facilities in the early afternoon. Race organisers are in direct contact with Saudi security authorities, as well as F1 and FIA, to ensure that all necessary measures are still in place to ensure the safety of all Formula 1 Grand Prix spectators, as well as all drivers, teams and stakeholders. “The race weekend program will continue as planned. The safety of all our guests remains our top priority and we look forward to welcoming fans for a weekend of quality racing and entertainment,” said the report published on their official Twitter account.

When it comes to strictly sports, the fastest in the second round of free practice was the winner at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Monegasque Charles Leclerc on board his Ferrari was the fastest with a record of 1:30 .074 and finished ahead of the Red Bull world champion Max Verstappen by only 0.140. The note was given when, with 20 minutes to go before the end of the session, the driver of the Maranello team hit the wall at turn 4 and had to enter the pits so that the team could review how his F1-75 car turned out.

In third place was Leclerc's teammate, Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr (1:30 .320), and behind him came Mexican Sergio Checo Pérez. The British Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time driver's title winner, was 5th in his Mercedes and finished ahead of George Russell (6th). The top ten places were closed by Lando Norris (McLaren), Esteban Ocón (Alpine), Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) and Japan's Yuki Tsunoda (Alpha Tauri).

This Saturday will be the turn of the qualifying that will define the starting grid for Sunday, the day of the 50-lap race that will determine the winner of the second date of the year for F1 in Saudi Arabia.

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