F1 teams reassured by 'credible' explanation of Saudi defence systems

After Friday’s attack on an oil facility outside Jeddah, which caused FP2 to be delayed, one of the key discussion points during a series of meetings involving the local authorities, the FIA, F1, team bosses and drivers was the defence system that is in place around the city and the circuit.

It was explained that the site targeted on Friday did not fall under the umbrella of that protection.

The race weekend will proceed as planned after the risk of a driver boycott was headed off, following lengthy talks that continued into the early hours of Saturday morning. However, F1 teams have suggested there needs to be discussions after this weekend about the event's long-term future.

The fact that local VIPs are happy to bring their families to the track, with no concerns about safety issues, was another key factor in getting the teams on-side to continue the weekend.

“I think if the authorities have their own family here, and they feel safe, I can feel safe,” said Haas boss Guenther Steiner.

“We know the technical systems they've got in place. For me the assurance is if the authorities have got their own families here and they feel safe, I can be safe as well.

“They explained very credibly what is in place. The technical details, I am not in a position to explain that, because I'm not qualified enough. But there is stuff in place, which protects us, obviously. I'm not trained in that one.

“But the credible explanation of what they do, and that their families are here with them, that gives me the assurance that I'm safe. And that my team is safe.”

Guenther Steiner, Team Principal, Haas F1, in the Press Conference

Photo by: Carl Bingham / Motorsport Images

Aston Martin’s new team principal Mike Krack echoed Steiner’s views about