Bottas: F1 drivers agreed that racing "was best option" in Jeddah

Valtteri Bottas says the GPDA stood united in its decision to race in Jeddah despite the drivers' genuine concern for F1's safety following Friday's nearby missile attack.

F1's drivers debated into the early hours of Saturday morning whether they should boycott the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix or continue the race weekend as scheduled.

While the group felt there was cause to be very concerned by the situation, it ultimately decided that boycotting the race would serve no practical purpose nor would it have conferred a heightened sense of security. Bottas explained why.

"We drivers, we were all concerned if it’s safe for all of us to be here, to race here," said Bottas. "And we got decent explanations on things.

"We went through all the options – like what if we don’t race? For example, that will still mean the teams would have to stay here for a couple of days packing stuff. And it’s not like you can create suddenly new flights to get home.

"We’re already here, so our best option was to race here. They’ve increased all the safety facilities and all this defence.

"So I think everyone agreed that we might as well do the race and hope for the best."

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali visited the drivers during their four-hour meeting and committed to a full safety review of the Jeddah event as well as of other venues.

"Obviously last night was quite late and in some places you don’t need to have that discussion," said Bottas, alluding to Saudi Arabia profile. "So it’s a unique Grand Prix.

"At least Formula 1 promised us to reconsider all the events for the future, including this one, to make sure that we go to the right places, that they can guarantee our safety 100% always when we go there."

• Read also: F1 team bosses say future of Saudi Arabian GP should be discussed

GPDA director George Russell said the group of drivers offered Domenicali its full support, but the Mercedes driver made clear that a discussion on "where we go from here" will be necessary after this weekend's event, meaning the future of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix must be reconsidered.

"I think clarity was needed, the conversation was certainly needed and I think it was good," commented the Mercedes driver.

"We’re all standing united, firstly between all the drivers and then together with Formula 1 and ultimately we trust in Stefano and Formula 1 as a whole.

"We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think it was right to be here. So obviously that’s going to need some clarity after this race weekend where we go from here.

"But from what I understand, everything was under control in this specific region and what happens outside of this region you cannot control."

Fernando Alonso made it a point of saying that the GPDA's stance on safety wasn't restricted to the protection of its members.

"We look like we were there talking about our safety, but honestly we are concerned about your safety: media, mechanics, fans, everyone…

"So we think that all the organisers and the authorities and everyone, F1, FOM, are happy with how things are right now and how [they are] for the safety of everyone.

"So we have to move ahead. But we will hopefully not see any more of this kind of thing."

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