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Formula 1’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is proceeding as planned after a military attack from Yemen’s Houthi rebel group close to the Jeddah circuit.
An Aramco oil refinery was bombed roughly six miles from the track on Friday with thick, dark grey smoke visible from the circuit during opening practice.
A couple of hours later, the Houthi group claimed credit for the attack as part of missile and drone assaults on various sites.
Further strikes were threatened as a Houthi military spokesperson said it would “not hesitate to expand military operations”.
This Saudi-Houthi conflict is in its eighth year although the background to the war stretches back much further and is influenced by direct and indirect involvement from other countries.
The start of FP2 was delayed by 15 minutes as drivers and team figures were summoned to a meeting by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, attended by FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
The meeting Domenicali called was to provide information shared by the authorities to the drivers and teams.
Domenicali informed them that, for now, the weekend will proceed as planned and security for the event even ahead of this incident has been a priority for the authorities.
The Race understands the decision has been based on intelligence from the Saudi Arabia authorities and heightened security already in place around the event following attacks in the build-up.
Essentially, the assurances from the authorities are there is no substantial risk and the event is not a target itself.
F1’s stance was made public in a statement issued later in the evening.
“Formula 1 has been in close contact with the relevant authorities following the situation that took place today,” it read.
“The authorities have confirmed that the event can continue as planned and we will remain in close contact with them and all the teams and closely monitor the situation.”
Sites in Jeddah had already been targeted in the build-up to this weekend’s race.
There is set to be another meeting later to update teams. All driver media sessions that had been planned for Friday evening have been called off.
Race organiser Saudi Motorsport Company underlined F1’s stance in a statement issued near the end of practice two.
“We are aware of the attack on the Aramco distribution station in Jeddah earlier this afternoon,” it read.
“The race organisers remain in direct contact with the Saudi security authorities, as well as F1 and the FIA to ensure all necessary security and safety measures continue to be implemented to guarantee the safety of all visitors to the Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as well as all drivers, teams and stakeholders.
“The race weekend schedule will continue as planned. The safety and security of all our guests continues to be our main priority and we look forward to welcoming fans for a weekend of premium racing and entertainment.”
