So not just racing on a clearly dangerous circuit in a country with an atrocious human rights record, but also racing in an active war zone. Peak F1.
Apparently they dropped him a bit too hard after the pit stop which knocked his alignment. The cars do look a bit wobbly on the Jack's. Has something changed in the rules?
From the BBC . 2218:22 Post update Race organisers have said the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go ahead as scheduled this weekend. A statement from the Saudi Motorsport Company read: "We are aware of the attack on the Aramco distribution station in Jeddah earlier this afternoon and remain in contact with the Saudi security authorities, as well as F1 and the FIA to ensure all necessary security and safety measures continue to be implemented to guarantee the safety of all visitors to the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as well as the drivers, teams and stakeholders. "The race weekend scheduled will continue as planned. The safety and security of all our guests continues to be our main priority and we look forward to welcoming fans for a weekend of premium racing and entertainments."
Sounds like bull to me. The steering rods are carbon aren't they, so that doesn't bend? If the car can't take a little drop from 6" then how can it deal with hitting a kerb at 180mph or breaking at what ever the G is? Max also said that it was stiff to turn then there was a delay in the car turning after he applied steering input. Maybe it knocked the steering rack alignment and it was then catching something, still if it can't take a little impact from a jack going down surely it's not strong enough to race especially with Max's history of wheel banging - OH I wonder I that's why he was keeping a good gap when trying to overtake Charles? Seems weird.
What a load of utter guff that is... Jesus. Well, better hope something doesn't target the track tomorrow with millions of people watching to see it play out. Madness.
The Houti from Yemen have claimed responsibility for the attack. I very much doubt they would target the race as the international responses would be very bad for them. It's a great way for them to get publicity though!!!
Are you honestly surprised it is going ahead ? Ched makes a good point , but irrespective of that , it comes as no surprise to me .
And it's a great new angle for "Drive To Survive". Next year's aero regs will have to include rules about chaff countermeasures.
Bit scary to say the least out there isn’t it. Track worries me a lot and then you’ve got attacks down the road- goodness me. Let’s hope all is okay
Well who knows. Still no wiser as verstappens run to warm up/activate softs was ruined. Leclerc barely clipped that wall I thought but shattered the front suspension The ferrari needed at least 2 laps to try get the softs to start to work so the sfots don't seem to be easy to work with but are faster once they finally get going. Hamilton pulled up and nearly killed a williams driver so this place is still lethal. Who knows.
If KMags car was damaged by hitting the kerb , and other cars are that delicate , somebody may well get hurt . Remind me again , why are we racing here ?
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Any decision to carry on regardless is a gamble. It is unlikely an attack on the circuit would happen but they can not guarantee the safety of the circuit from an attack.It is a judgement call that I truely think is flawed. It is $$$ and the West needs Saudi Arabia and many others on side in the commodity crisis that is developing, not just for fuel. I can see that, but it is a gamble.
Seems like drivers called a meeting and after 4hrs they agreed to race! I wonder if they now have anti missile tech to protect circuit and hotels? The meeting finished at 2:20am local time!
