F1: F1 drivers assured of maximum security by Saudi authorities – Gulf Digital News

F1: F1 drivers assured of maximum security by Saudi authorities – Gulf Digital News

Formula One drivers on Saturday said they would race in Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after long talks and reassurances from Saudi government ministers that security was being ramped up to the maximum in the wake of attacks on an oil facility near the Jeddah street circuit on Friday.

Drivers met for more than four hours at the Jeddah Corniche circuit at a gathering that stretched into early Saturday morning after Formula One and local organisers had already said the race would go ahead as planned, casting doubt on whether they would actually race.

They did not speak to the media after the meeting but team bosses confirmed the race was on.

"We went into long discussions between ourselves, with our team principals, and with the most senior people who run our sport," drivers body GPDA said in a statement.

"A large variety of opinions were shared and debated and, having listened not only to the Formula One 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."

Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis on Friday said they launched attacks on Saudi energy