Formula 1 today in the live ticker: chaos weekend in Saudi Arabia

Created: 03/27/2022, 16:38

By: Alexander Kaindl

Formula 1 drives in Saudi Arabia this weekend.

We follow the race on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Sunday (7 p.m.) in the live ticker.

• Formula 1*: The second Grand Prix of the season is coming up.

• The weekend in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, has been overshadowed by several events so far.

• We accompany the race on Sunday (from 7 p.m., all TV information about the broadcast) here in the live ticker.

Formula 1: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - The starting grid

>>> UPDATE <<<

Jeddah - So far it has been a weekend of sad highlights in Saudi Arabia: The second Grand Prix of the new Formula 1 season has already brought a drone attack (Friday) and a terrible accident by Mick Schumacher (Saturday).

The race then starts on Sunday evening (7 p.m.) - hopefully without further negative headlines.

Formula 1 live: Dangerous weekend in Saudi Arabia - first drone attack, then Schumacher crash

Because the negative headlines, the premier class of motorsport already has them.

Jeddah is the most important port city in Saudi Arabia.

A country where drone attacks are almost a daily occurrence.

“Friday's attack meant a new dimension of uncertainty, especially for the drivers.

That will contribute to the fact that there will be discussions," said Mercedes Motorsport Director Toto Wolff.

Formula 1 has a ten-year deal with Saudi Arabia reportedly worth $900 million.

Once again it's about the money.

The representatives of the racing teams passed the responsibility on to Formula 1 management and the International Automobile Association FIA.

"The teams don't make the race calendar," said Sebastian Vettel's new boss Mike Krack.

At Sky, the Aston Martin team boss said: "If we no longer go to such countries, then we look the other way.

Then it's like a boycott, and that's not conducive either."

Formula 1 today in the live ticker: unrest in the paddock

Detached from these arguments, the drivers debated late into the night on Friday, before they finally decided to climb further into the cockpit.

"We went through all the options.

Also what if we didn't compete," revealed Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas: "That would mean, for example, that the teams would have to stay here for a few more days to pack their things.

And it's not like you can organize new flights to get home in a flash." After consulting the local authorities, several team bosses unanimously declared that it was "the safest thing" to drive.

On Saturday evening, another safety debate reached Formula 1: The high-speed concrete canal in Jeddah has been causing the drivers an increasing stomach ache since Schumacher's violent departure in qualifying at the latest.

The 23-year-old's Haas was literally shredded in the impact at well over 200 km/h, Schumacher miraculously escaped without injuries and was able to leave the hospital on Saturday evening.

Mick Schumacher's destroyed Haas after his crash during qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

© ANTONIN VINCENT/imago-images

Formula 1 live today: Perez: "This is the most dangerous track on the calendar"

Mick Schumacher has now reported back with good news.

The industry held its breath until this relieving message got out.

"This is the biggest accident we've ever seen on this track," said record world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Pole sitter Sergio Perez added: “This is the most dangerous track on the calendar.

If something happens, it's often a serious accident.” For Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit with its blind corners is simply “at the limit”.

So there were several extreme experiences in one weekend.

For some, the danger was too explosive.

Ex-pilot and Sky expert Ralf Schumacher left Jeddah on Saturday morning, commenting on qualifying from home.

Former world champion Damon Hill accused Formula 1 of "playing with fire".

Literally.