F1 ‘monitoring’ instability in Saudi Arabia (Update)

(GMM) Organizers of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian GP have played down suggestions the Formula 1 race may need to be cancelled.

With Sochi already axed over the Russia-Ukraine conflict, many have suggested that Iran-linked attacks on the Saudi capital city Jeddah – where the race is taking place – should trigger a similar cancellation.

Worse still, the most prominent attack was on an Aramco facility, with the 2022 Saudi Arabian GP and the Aston Martin team both prominently sponsored by the Saudi oil company.

But the race organizers told us: “This incident has no bearing on the race weekend.

“We are in constant contact with the relevant authorities and all necessary measures have been taken to ensure the safety of all visitors as well as participating personnel, staff and media.”

(GMM) A dark cloud has moved above this weekend’s second round of the new 2022 world championship.

As Ferrari were racing to a popular 1-2 at the Bahrain season opener, reports were breaking about Saudi forces fighting off a “hostile air target” that had set its sights on the capital city Jeddah.

Jeddah is scheduled to host its second night street Formula 1 race this weekend.

Already, reports were circulating that an oil distribution plant owned by Aston Martin title sponsor Aramco had been struck by Iran-aligned forces in the capital, and that several drones had also been destroyed.

Britain’s Sun tabloid claims that Formula 1 authorities are “monitoring the situation”.

The news also comes as F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali insists that he will have “no problem at all” replacing the axed Russian GP, thereby keeping this year’s calendar at an unprecedented 23 races.