LEWIS HAMILTON had a simple message after a missile strike threatened to cancel Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
A terrorist attack at an oil depot 10 miles from Jeddah’s Corniche circuit led to talks between drivers and F1 chiefs about the status of the race, with many in favour of calling it off.
Hamilton revealed he was “so happy” to be going home after a turbulent weekend in Jeddah
A missile strike hit an oil depot just a matter of miles from the F1 circuit
Drivers were eventually persuaded that the race was safe to go ahead after a four-hour long meeting, with Hamilton reported to be one of those angling for it to be cancelled.
But after being forced to take to the track the 37-year-old couldn’t wait to finally head home after finishing tenth on Sunday.
Speaking after a turbulent few days, as per the Guardian, he said: “I am so happy the weekend is done.
“I am so happy that everyone is safe, I am just looking forward to getting out. I just want to go home.”
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Talks will now be held between drivers and F1 bosses regarding the future of the Saudi Arabian GP, according to the Daily Mail.
But the race in Jeddah is extremely lucrative to the company – claimed to be worth worth £50million-a-year.
And F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali responded to the criticism for pressing ahead with the race, despite the safety fears.
He told Sky Sports: “No one can judge our morality, to be honest… Where is the line? That is the question.
“Our position, and it will always be, is we believe what we’re doing will have a very positive impact in all the political situations… and at all levels.
“This will always be the consideration we will take for our future in the sport, all over the world.”
Talks between drivers and bosses over the future of the Saudi Arabian GP are set to take place in the coming days over video call, or at the Melbourne GP in two weeks.
But Hamilton’s fellow Brit Lando Norris also revealed his concerns about bringing the F1 calendar back to Jeddah.
He said: “I am relieved to have got through the weekend.
“All we want to do is race. But it is a nervous place to be as a driver and that is why we had the talks we did. We were given reassurances and told it is safe, and we had to believe that.
“Whether we come back or not? I would love to because it is a fun track, but those are discussions we will have after the weekend.”
