Schumacher: “We need to pack our things as quickly as possible”

The FIA and the organisere of the Saudi Arabia GP decided on Friday to let the weekend go ahead despite the missile attacks in Jeddah. The teams and drivers also decided to drive. Ralf Schumacher says Formula 1 is under enormous pressure from the country.

In the order described above the F1 world agreed to let the GP-weekend continue under this threatening situation. The drivers had a hard time coming to a decision and only came out after four hours with the decision to drive anyway. Meanwhile, it has been announced that the drivers have changed their minds due to "additional information". Schumacher said on the German Sky Sports that F1 is under enormous pressure from Saudi Arabia. The German also hinted at his own decision to leave the country as soon as possible.

Formula 1 under enormous pressure from Saudi Arabia

At Sky Sport, Schumacher says: "It's only twenty kilometers from here. If it's really an attack, then I'm really surprised that we're still here. We need to pack our things as quickly as possible and leave the country just as quickly." Since it has been confirmed that the missile attacks are coming from the Houthis and therefore it is indeed an attack, it is likely that Schumacher has packed his things by now.

Schumacher continued, "I have to say that I am an F1 expert and not a business or political expert, but I think the pressure on Formula 1 is huge. A very large amount has been paid and there is a long-term contract. The government of the country has said they are guaranteeing security, so F1 cannot just withdraw from the event." The pressure that Schumacher says is on F1 has then also been put on the drivers and teams by the decision to let the teams and drivers choose whether they want to drive. Possibly this also has to do with the 'extra information' the drivers received last night during their consultations.