Lewis Hamilton on emotionally draining Saudi GP: 'I just want to go home'

• Lewis Hamilton expresses his relief to be leaving Saudi Arabia.

• The Mercedes driver endured a torrid race and finished in 10th place.

• The race weekend was under threat following an attack on a nearby oil refinery.

• For more motoring stories, visit Wheels24

Lewis Hamilton said he was looking forward to getting out of Saudi Arabia following Sunday's (27 March) controversial race.

The second round of the new Formula 1 season had been in doubt 48 hours earlier following a nearby missile strike on an oil refinery during first practice.

After an extraordinary four-hour meeting on Friday night, the drivers were ready to withdraw, only to be talked out of it by F1 bosses following assurances from Saudi authorities.

It is understood that the drivers will meet with F1 to discuss the future of the race in Jeddah, possibly by a virtual call in the coming days, or in-person at the next round in Australia on 10 April.

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Relieve all-round

Hamilton, who finished a disappointing 10th, said: "I am so happy the weekend is done, and I am also just so happy that everyone is safe. I am looking forward to getting out."

Asked if he had any reservations about returning to Saudi Arabia next year, Hamilton replied: "I just want to go home."

READ: Lewis Hamilton 'not comfortable' racing in Saudi amidst political unrest and turmoil

Hamilton's fellow Briton, the 22-year-old McLaren driver Lando Norris, added: "Of course, I am relieved [to have got through the weekend].

"Under any circumstance, all we want to do is race. But it is a nervous place to be, and you are going to have these nerves, and that is why we had the discussions we did. We were given the reassurances