Marko: 'Rebels know F1 is in the country this weekend'

Helmut Marko indicated yesterday that the race should go ahead if the F1 organisation can guarantee safety in the region. So Marko gets his way, after Formula 1 confirmed that the event can take place safely.

After the second missile attack on Jeddah this week, during Friday of the Saudi Arabia F1 weekend, the organisers went into consultation about whether to cancel the event. After long deliberations by the drivers, it was decided deep into the night that the race would go ahead after all. It came in for criticism from the Formula 1 community that they apparently considered financial reasons more important than safety reasons. In the meantime F1 has issued a statement assuring that the situation is safe. Red Bull Racing advisor Dr. Marko gets his way.

Marko gets his way

The Austrian said yesterday in the paddock at the German Sport 1: "As long as safety can be guaranteed, we must race." Marko went on to say, "It is clear that this is an attack. The rebels know exactly what is going on in the country this weekend and of course they want to use that attention to highlight their struggle." Marko thinks the attacks were deliberately placed on Aramco targets. After all, Aramco is F1's title sponsor. It seems that Austrian thinks it is no coincidence that the attack took place during the first free practice less than twenty kilometers from the Jedda Corniche Circuit.