Saudi Sports Minister Promises F1 Race Will Be Safer Next Time
Last weekend, Saudi Arabia’s Sports Minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal appeared at the Singapore Grand Prix to give an update on security improvements for the next Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. This year’s edition of the race has been overshadowed by a missile attack on the nearby Aramco refinery. Following the incident, Formula 1 drivers had to be persuaded to race that weekend after a four-and-a-half hour meeting in the paddock.
Prince Abdulaziz reiterated that he and other race organizers are working with Formula 1 to address concerns about the championship, the teams and the drivers. Saudi Grand Prix officials have met privately with all of F1’s teams and drivers over the past few months. Reuters report The sport minister’s mention of Formula 1’s high reputation makes security concerns a new reality for F1 at every Grand Prix, taking for example climate protesters in the UK or the mass shootings in the US. The sports minister has stressed that the 2022 race has been fully secured and that additional measures will be taken in 2023.
According to USAotorsport.comPrince Abdulaziz said:
“We know it’s safe, but we need to explain what measures have been taken. More than 4000 troops were deployed in that event just to make sure [of that], because when these things happen, you are afraid that those who want to aggravate them will bring disaster on themselves. So we just make sure no one compromises the safety of the event and the city.”
In the days following the 2022 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, the United Nations was able to broker a ceasefire in the civil war between Yemen’s internationally recognized government backed by Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels. , the group claimed responsibility for the attack on the Jeddah Aramco Refinery. The ceasefire in the brutal eight-year conflict ended yesterday after both parties failed to reach an agreement to renew.
On the ceasefire, Prince Abdulaziz commented:
“It’s not just around the track, but around the kingdom. Interesting, three days later [attack], there was a cease-fire announcement. So I think with all the media will [to the race] and as such, it’s a way to show aggression and get the attention of the media out there. But we are confident that security and safety were there at the time. “
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With Formula One’s current contract with Saudi Arabia ensuring that a world championship round will be held in the country until 2030, the Grand Prix will be intertwined with the humanitarian crisis in the country. Yemen in the near future.