F1 drivers are comfortable racing in Jeddah - Hamilton 'the opposite'

Formula 1's drivers say they feel safe racing in Jeddah twelve months after a nearby missile attack put the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in jeopardy, but Lewis Hamilton felt "the opposite" to his peers.

Last year, a missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels hit a Saudi Aramco oil storage facility located just 10 km away from the Jeddah Corniche Circuit as FP1 was in full swing.

After a series of crisis meetings between the FIA, Formula 1 and Saudi authorities, the teams unanimously agreed to continue their race weekend in Jeddah, reassured by the Saudi officials' actions to boost the paddock's safety.

On Thursday, with additional security measures in place once again for this year's event, several drivers were asked for their thoughts on racing in Jeddah.

"Although I can’t speak for the other 19 drivers, but generally, I think we’re happy and have no concerns with the changes that have been put in place ahead of this year," said GPDA director and Mercedes driver George Russell.

"But I think there were a lot of lessons to be learned from what happened 12 months ago, and Formula 1 have really stepped it up.

"And not just in regards of what’s happening here in Saudi but for all of the grand prix we go to."

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McLaren's Lando Norris, for one, was happy to be racing in Saudi Arabia, as "Formula 1 and what we're doing as a sport is a good thing", the Briton adding that he is "not worried about anything".

Charles Leclerc said: "We’ve had a meeting with the FIA, and obviously the people involved in government for our securities.

"There have been some improvements, and obviously they are pushing quite a lot on that after seeing what happened last year."

Haas' Kevin Magnussen reminded himself  that last year's event was one "that none of us enjoyed".

"But I think it’s a different situation now, a different protocol and a ceasefire between the two parties that were involved last year and that gives some confidence."

Red Bull's Sergio said that he was happy to be back.

"As a sport I think we are able to also help the country to evolve for the people that are living here," said the Mexican.

"This is something as a sport we can be proud of, and on the other hand we fully trust the organisations that bring us here to compete in a safe place."

As for Hamilton, the seven-time world champion initially offered a laconic reaction.

"Not much really to add. All the opposite to everything they said," he noted.

When asked to elaborate on what he meant, Hamilton replied: "I didn’t elaborate on it so it’s open to interpretation!

"Hopefully everyone has a safe weekend and hopefully everyone gets back safe afterwards, that’s as much as we can do, right?"

Hamilton's concerns were two-fold: first the event's safety issue; and second Saudi Arabia's human rights record, a topic often brought up by the Mercedes driver who would like to see F1 do more to exert change in the country.

"I still feel that, as a sport going to places with human rights issues such as this one, the sport is duty bound to raise awareness and try to leave a positive impact," he added.

"And I feel like it needs to do more. What that is, I don't have all the answers. But I think we always need to do more to raise awareness for things that people are struggling with."

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