F1 News

Fierce criticism from around the world on F1 organisation after decision

26 March 2022 at 07:42

Last update 26 March 2022 at 10:20

GPblog.com

The FIA and the organisers of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix decided yesterday to allow the weekend to go ahead despite the missile attacks in Jeddah. The decision left the teams and drivers free to choose for themselves. The Internet has been met with astonishment worldwide.

The FIA and the F1 organisation in Saudi Arabia took the decision to allow the F1 weekend to go ahead because they believe they can ensure safety. They did leave the teams and drivers free to decide on their own participation in the race weekend. In the end, after hours of discussion among the drivers, the decision was made to race after all. There was immediately a lot of criticism of the F1 organisation. They would only focus on money and treat the drivers as pawns in a game. People also think that the drivers are being pressured into racing and think it goes against the message of the sport that this weekend's race will be held in a conflict zone.

Twitter reactions from around the world in a row

In elke andere regio zou de race normaliter afgelast zijn, maar volgens de Saudische autoriteiten is de veiligheid van iedereen op het circuit gewaarborgd.

FIA en FOM zullen naar verwachting nog met officieel statement komen dat de race doorgaat. Het is een latertje geworden...
— Erik van Haren (@ErikvHaren) March 26, 2022

The point is not that the #SaudiArabianGP should be cancelled, but rather that it should have never been approved in the first place given the situation.

Not only the GP is under threat due to its association with Aramco, the target today, but it threatens the city itself.
— sara (@_allthatglitz) March 25, 2022

The decision to race after 4 hours of meetings shows that it was not unanimous.

There were drivers in that room standing up for every single person who does not a a voice in this decision - mechanics, staff, etc. It’s a real shame that the race is set to go on #SaudiArabianGP
— Steph (@StephWentworth_) March 25, 2022

De race in Saudi gaat vooralsnog gewoon door.
F1 twee weken geleden: ‘No war’
F1 nu: ‘No war, maar als het verder dan 5km van het circuit vandaan is, dan is het okay en veilig.’ pic.twitter.com/rZC7pyE2yf
— Rob van Gameren (@VanGamerenF1) March 25, 2022

This should be enough for the FIA and drivers to boycot Jeddah in the future.
Being forced to drive is very unacceptable in a situation like this. #BanJeddah
— Stephan (@Stephanbuurma) March 26, 2022

This is definitely the last #FormulaOne race ever in #SaudiArabiaGP #JeddahGP #jeddah No way drivers will ever go back to that backward beheading muslim hellhole. #Aramco
— Vogeltjes (@jouwvogel) March 26, 2022

The worst of it is that the FIA has the means to cancel the race and make the organisers pay for removal costs in its hands - Jeddah's lack of service road impeded F2 qualifying rescues, and is thus against Article 7.10 of Appendix O of the International Sporting Code.
— Alianora La Canta (@lacanta) March 26, 2022

Na een korte nacht terug naar het circuit om VT3 en de kwalificatie te verslaan, want ja: "We're racing." #F1 #SaudiArabianGP
— Erwin Jaeggi (@Jaeggi) March 26, 2022

missiles hitting aramco facilities just 10km away from jeddah race circuit but they’re still continuing the race putting drivers and even other families and innocent ppl at risk.
— diya (@lewisxdaya) March 26, 2022

F1 Management is totally to blame - they flew the entire paddock into this warzone which has been ongoing - they should all be fired. Attacks have been happening for weeks in Jeddah and SA - and near the airport. The title sponsor for the race's facilities nonetheless. SIck.
— Tyler (@Tyler65762181) March 26, 2022