Lewis Hamilton and F1 drivers to hold talks over where future races are held after Saudi Arabia GP terror attack chaos

FORMULA ONE drivers plan to hold talks with the sport’s chiefs over where future Grand Prix are staged.

This weekend’s money-spinning Saudi Arabian GP went ahead despite Friday’s terror attack on an oil depot just six miles from the race track in Jeddah.

Rex

Formula One drivers want to have their say in the future calendar schedule[/caption]

AFP

The explosion on Friday saw the facility go up in flames just six miles from the Jeddah track[/caption]

The stars were told it was safe to go ahead with Sunday’s race despite unanimous reservations, including from seven-time world champ Lewis Hamilton.

Further discussions are expected to take place either this week on a video call or ahead of the Australian GP in Melbourne next week.

And drivers hope to see their views and stance listened to now they are the face of the sport.

The 20-man group have an increased global profile now due to the rise of social media and the Drive to Survive Netflix series.

As reported by Sky Sports’ Craig Slater: “The justification for the drivers wanting more input is that they are very much more the face of the sport these days than they were five to ten years ago.

“The drivers and their personalities have been the key vehicle for F1 getting its messaging across.

“The drivers think if they’re the vehicle for F1’s messaging, then they have to be fully aligned with that messaging.

“The best way to go about that is for them to have an input in the process and decision-making that works out these major strategic decisions.”

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Speaking after a turbulent few days which saw him dumped out in Q1 and then finish tenth after a pit error, Hamilton 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.”

And 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.

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“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.”

F1 are understood to be close to adding a Grand Prix in Las Vegas from next season.