Max Verstappen has told after the qualifying session for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that there will definitely be talks with Liberty Media and the FIA at a later time about everything that happened yesterday ten kilometres from the Jeddah circuit. Verstappen doesn't seem to be entirely happy with how certain things went.
On Friday afternoon, Yemeni rebels bombed an Aramco oil depot with missiles. This raised the question of whether Formula 1 should cancel the GP weekend. For hours the drivers and team bosses talked with each other and with Liberty Media and the FIA and halfway through the night the final decision was made to race on Saturday and Sunday.
Verstappen does not want to say anything about the situation
Initially, all Formula 1 drivers would be unanimously in favour of a cancellation, but after more talks, everyone agreed. How that whole process unfolded doesn't really seem to bear out Verstappen's approval."We made that decision together, but after the weekend I do think it will be talked about," he said.
He continues at The Telegraph I think everyone has an opinion about it, but it's not wise for me to say what I think. That will come. That's also how we agreed with the drivers and team bosses." After Friday's hours-long talks, none of the drivers said anything to the assembled media either.
Verstappen will have to work hard on Sunday if he wants to take his 21st victory in Formula 1. It will be important to be sharp during all the moments because it seems a certainty that a safety car will appear on the track.
I knew it. That attack and then the long meeting had big impact on mental state of drivers and teams
Whats funny to me is that it would have been safer to race in Russia ?? than race in Jedda. But we know the priorities of the FIA as it stands. The drivers matter little right now . Money and Politics. If always said keep the sport neutral and then these decisions become easy and makes sense. I think every race will have some group creating a point ?
They are not racing in Russia mot because of safety reasons but because of an full blown invasion fir no reason
Any problems racing in SA and Jedda, there are wars these countries are engaged in? Please explain.
Using that argument then they should race in the uk or america. Both countries are always in wars.
Well.thats where we at now, since the FIA is no longer neutral ,every race will be questioned.
While it is an exciting circuit it is dangerous. with a tight midfield i just see the potential for a multi car wreck. It is the only track where i think teams should be split to have staggered qualification to prevent serious injury
Qualifying is fine because they create gaps between each other. A street circuit can be great, but if you create a street circuit with no run offs with an average speed close to that of Monza I really wonder what went wrong inside the mind of Tilke to come up with this.
If Max, who is blunt honest, doesn't feel free to say what he thinks..... I am afraid it is clear drivers yesterday were told they would not be free to leave the country if they did not race, like BBC brought to light yesterday. Signs of a bad situation. Last race ever in SA.
Let's wait for the interviews starting monday and we wil know more. Then those drivers who do speak out should really consider never going to Saudi ever again in their life because of reprimandes from the Saudis if the race is still on the calender from next year on.
Don't expect them to speak up openly to the press openly on Monday too SA regime is accused of political murders outside SA......Jamal Khashoggi...
"That will come. That's also how we agreed with the drivers and team bosses."? This might be Saudi Arabia's last race then. Good riddance.
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