Formula 1 drivers are set to ask for more power and input when it comes to where the sport races following the controversial Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last weekend.
As the opening practice session took place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit - hosting its second Grand Prix after the inaugural race last year - on Friday, a missile struck a nearby Aramco oil facility reportedly just seven miles away from the track. Yemen’s Houthi rebel group have since taken responsibility and claimed to be behind the attack.
The racing action continued during second practice, although the start was delayed. Following the session, drivers and team principals met with F1 bosses Stefano Domenicali and Ross Brawn to discuss the issue at hands.
Drivers expressed concerns about their safety and were reportedly considering boycotting the entire race weekend. After four hours of talks, they agreed to race amid reports they were warned of ‘possible consequences’.
The incident has supposedly made drivers want to discuss having a greater influence on where they race. The drivers are allegedly preparing to meet F1 bosses to discuss such changes, as well as the missile attack.
Following recent events, drivers have had to navigate certain uncomfortable questions about the cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix following the Ukraine invasions as well as human rights issues in Saudi Arabia. On speaking about such topics, Lewis Hamilton said: “We don't decide where we go (to race). I think we do have an opportunity to try - we are duty bound to try - and do what we can while we're here.”
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F1 currently decides on the calendar line-up and hopes to be more collaborative with their various stakeholders, including the 10 teams. They also intend to release a full assessment of the incident in Jeddah which will be shared with all key figures.
F1 has made greater driver engagement with the audience a key part of its plans in the post-Bernie Ecclestone era, raising the curtain between fans and drivers on the track. The meetings are believed to be scheduled to go ahead before the next Grand Prix in Melbourne.
The 22-race 2022 campaign - which is expected to return to 23 races in the near future once a Russian Grand Prix replacement is found - continues with the Australian Grand Prix on April 10.
