The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled despite Houthi rocket attacks in Jeddah, Formula One and its governing body, the FIA, said in a statement on Saturday.
“Formula 1 and the FIA can confirm that following discussions with all the teams and drivers, the 2022 FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will continue as scheduled,” F1 and the FIA said in the joint statement.
“Following the widely reported incident that took place in Jeddah on Friday, there has been extensive discussion between all stakeholders, the Saudi government authorities and security agencies who have given full and detailed assurances that the event is secure,” the statement further said.
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“It has been agreed with all stakeholders to maintain a clear and open dialogue throughout the event and for the future,” the statement concluded.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that is scheduled to take place over this weekend looked likely to be called off after an attack took place at an oil depot near the F1 circuit in Jeddah.
However, after lengthy meetings with stakeholders early on Saturday, hours after the attack, Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali hinted that the race would take place, telling reporters, “We have received total assurance of the country’s safety first. They have placed all the systems to protect this area. So, we feel confident that we have to trust the local authority in that respect. We will of course go ahead with the event.”
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FIA President Ben Sulayem also assured those concerned that the Houthi rebels were “not targeting the [F1] track.”
“We had meetings with the high-level security then we had meetings with the team principals and the drivers. And to assure you that, they are targeting the infrastructure of the economy not the civilians and, of course, not the track,” Sulayem further said.
The qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will take place as scheduled on Saturday, while the race itself will take place on Sunday, March 27.