Motorsport Week
  • Formula 1
    • 2023 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2023 Formula 1 Standings
    • 2023 Formula 1 Team/Driver Line-Up
    • 2023 Formula 1 Driver Penalty Points
  • Formula E
    • 2022/23 Formula E Standings
    • 2022/23 Formula E Calendar
    • 2022/23 Formula E Team/Driver Line-up
  • IndyCar
    • 2023 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2023 IndyCar Driver Line-Up
    • 2023 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2023 WRC Calendar
    • 2023 WRC Standings
    • 2023 WRC Driver Line-up
  • MotoGP
    • 2023 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2023 MotoGP Team/Rider Line-Up
    • 2022 Championship Standings
  • WEC
    • 2023 WEC Calendar
    • 2023 WEC Hypercar Team/Driver Line-up
  • More
    • IMSA
      • 2023 IMSA GTP Team/Driver Line-up
      • 2023 IMSA Calendar
    • Formula 2
      • 2023 Formula 2 Race Calendar
      • 2023 Formula 2 Driver Line-up
    • Formula 3
      • 2023 Formula 3 Race Calendar
      • 2023 Formula 3 Driver Line-up
    • DTM
    • WSeries
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
LIVE
No Result
View All Result
  • Formula 1
    • 2023 Formula 1 Calendar
    • 2023 Formula 1 Standings
    • 2023 Formula 1 Team/Driver Line-Up
    • 2023 Formula 1 Driver Penalty Points
  • Formula E
    • 2022/23 Formula E Standings
    • 2022/23 Formula E Calendar
    • 2022/23 Formula E Team/Driver Line-up
  • IndyCar
    • 2023 IndyCar Calendar
    • 2023 IndyCar Driver Line-Up
    • 2023 IndyCar Standings
  • WRC
    • 2023 WRC Calendar
    • 2023 WRC Standings
    • 2023 WRC Driver Line-up
  • MotoGP
    • 2023 MotoGP Calendar
    • 2023 MotoGP Team/Rider Line-Up
    • 2022 Championship Standings
  • WEC
    • 2023 WEC Calendar
    • 2023 WEC Hypercar Team/Driver Line-up
  • More
    • IMSA
      • 2023 IMSA GTP Team/Driver Line-up
      • 2023 IMSA Calendar
    • Formula 2
      • 2023 Formula 2 Race Calendar
      • 2023 Formula 2 Driver Line-up
    • Formula 3
      • 2023 Formula 3 Race Calendar
      • 2023 Formula 3 Driver Line-up
    • DTM
    • WSeries
    • Technical Insight
    • Galleries
    • About/Contact
    • Privacy Policy
No Result
View All Result
Motorsport Week
Home Single Seater Formula 1

Binotto: Leaving Saudi Arabia ‘not the right choice’

by Fergal Walsh
12 months ago
A A
0
Binotto: Leaving Saudi Arabia ‘not the right choice’
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto says departing Saudi Arabia following the missile attack close to the race circuit on Friday evening would “not have been the right choice”.

A series of meetings were held on Friday after a nearby oil depot was targeted by Houthi rebels, with the remainder of the Saudi Arabian weekend thrown into uncertainty.

Late into the night, all 20 drivers gathered for a discussion in Jeddah, where it is believed they raised concerns over continuing with the weekend.

Binotto says that making an exit would not have been the right choice for F1, amid calls from some fans on social media to abandon the event.

RelatedPosts

FIA launches tender for F1 tyre supplier from 2025

FIA launches tender for F1 tyre supplier from 2025

12 hours ago
Marko: Verstappen’s fastest lap push uncontrollable

Marko: Verstappen’s fastest lap push uncontrollable

15 hours ago

“The drivers met together, certainly they were concerned,” Binotto said. “After the facts of yesterday, no doubt all of us were concerned. 

“The concerns need to be translated into considerations and discussions and as we as teams had assurance from F1 and from the Saudi government authorities and security agencies that everything would have been safe and under control. 

“That was needed to be explained to the drivers, explained to them the situation, make them understand that we are safe and secured.

“I think after long discussions, which is important to have in a transparent way, I think they understood and supported the fact that it is important to stay and remain in Saudi and drive for the weekend.

“By leaving the country, it would not have simply been the right choice. I think there was no right reason to leave the country after the facts that happened and with the assurance that we get. 

“They met, they had their own concerns, they raised them, but I think altogether we got the right assurances and explanations as well.”

Binotto explained that the lengthy meeting on Friday night was drawn out to allow all drivers the chance to provide their own comments.

“There are 20 drivers and they’ve got their own single opinion. It was important for them to have a chat and at least try to raise the right questions,” he said. 

“I think it was simply a long, positive and constructive discussion. We should not forget that those guys have got a voice.

“They are the drivers, they are the stars of our sport and their voice is an important one. At least as the Ferrari team principal, I believe it is important to listen to them, as it is important to explain to them the considerations and what we believe is right. 

“As Team Principals, we have got the duty and its role to try to explain the considerations so that they can have their own proper, right arguments and conclusions.”

Tags: BinottoF1FerrariSaudiArabianGP
Share787Tweet492Share197

Related Posts

FIA launches tender for F1 tyre supplier from 2025
Formula 1

FIA launches tender for F1 tyre supplier from 2025

12 hours ago
Marko: Verstappen’s fastest lap push uncontrollable
Formula 1

Marko: Verstappen’s fastest lap push uncontrollable

15 hours ago
Sainz: Ferrari ‘surprised’ by poor Jeddah race pace
Formula 1

Sainz: Ferrari ‘surprised’ by poor Jeddah race pace

17 hours ago
Load More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Popular Articles

Norris reveals first Mercedes engine is ‘finished already’
Formula 1

Norris reveals first Mercedes engine is ‘finished already’

March 18, 2023
Russell: 2022 Brazil win led Mercedes down the wrong path
Formula 1

Russell: 2022 Brazil win led Mercedes down the wrong path

March 18, 2023

Upcoming Races

#EventLocationDate
2Saudi Arabian GPJeddah19 March
3Australian GPMelbourne02 April
4Azerbaijan GPBaku30 April
5Miami GPMiami07 May
6Emilia Romagna GPImola21 May

Click here for the full 2023 F1 calendar

Drivers’  Standings

#DriverPts
Max Verstappen44
Sergio Perez43
Fernando Alonso30
George Russell18
Carlos Sainz20
Lewis Hamilton20
Lance Stroll8
Charles Leclerc6
Valtteri Bottas4
Esteban Ocon4

Click here for full Drivers’ Standings

Follow Motorsport Week

Motorsport Week

© 2023 Motorsport Media Services Ltd

Other Links

  • About & Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Motorsport Monday

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Sign Up
  • Home
  • Formula 1
    • Latest News
    • Standings
    • 2023 F1 Calendar
    • Team/Driver Line-Up
    • Session Results
    • Driver Penalty Points
  • Formula E
    • Latest News
    • 2022/23 Formula E Standings
    • 2022/23 Formula E Calendar
    • Session Results
  • MotoGP
    • Latest News
    • Standings
    • Calendar
  • WRC
    • Latest News
    • Standings
    • Calendar
  • IndyCar
    • Latest News
    • Calendar
    • Standings
  • WEC
    • Latest News
    • Calendar
  • Live Updates
  • Other
    • Formula 2
    • Formula 3
    • Moto2
    • Moto3
    • WSeries
    • DTM
    • IMSA
  • Galleries
  • About/Contact
  • Privacy Policy

© 2023 Motorsport Media Services Ltd

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
X