F1 INSIDER

PICTURES

01 F1’S ETHICS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

F1’S DOUBLE STANDARD OVER RUSSIA AND SAUDI ARABIA

01 The contract to host the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is believed to run for 10 years and worth around £500million in total, but events surrounding this year’s Jeddah race weekend must inevitably leave Formula 1 questioning whether to keep the race on the calendar.

During the first practice session of the 2022 Saudi GP, an explosion occurred around 10 miles away from the track at an oil facility, with local authorities soon confirming a missile attack was the source. The Yemeni Houthi movement, which has been embroiled in an armed conflict with the Saudi-led coalition in recent years, claimed responsibility for the incident. During the week leading up to the grand prix, it had carried out several similar attacks in Saudi Arabia, including in Jeddah.

While a cloud of black smoke gathered in the air near the track, many in the paddock began to doubt whether the race weekend should continue. The start of Friday’s second practice session was delayed by 15 minutes following an emergency meeting between F1 CEO