Motor racing-F1 drivers assured of maximum security by Saudi authorities

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - December 3, 2021 General view of Haas' Nikita Mazepin during practice REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo

JEDDAH (Reuters) - Formula One drivers on Saturday said they would race in Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after long talks and reassurances from Saudi government ministers that security was being ramped up to the maximum in the wake of attacks on an oil facility near the Jeddah street circuit on Friday.

Drivers met for more than four hours at the Jeddah Corniche circuit at a gathering that stretched into early Saturday morning after Formula One and local organisers had already said the race would go ahead as planned, casting doubt on whether they would actually race.