Terror Attack Halts Practice At Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix

Practice at Formula 1's Saudi Arabian GP was halted this week following a terror attack on an oil depot close to the circuit.

The depot, owned by F1 sponsor Aramco, was set on fire during competitors' first run-through in Saudi Arabia on Friday, 25 March and continued burning late into the night about seven miles from the track.

A large black smoke cloud was visible from the circuit and smoke from the blaze continued to swirl on Saturday morning, with Yemen's Houthi rebel group having taken responsibility for a series of attacks in recent days.

The fire blazed at the same oil depot that the Houthis has been targeting, with a satellite news channel run by Yemen's Houthi rebels claiming they had attacked an Aramco facility in Jeddah, Sky News reports.

The first practice initially continued as normal, though drivers were met with a delay to the start of second practice as they and team principals met with F1 president Domenicali and the FIA's Mohammed Ben Sulayem. Drivers also had their scheduled media commitments cancelled following the attack.

Another meeting, attended by a Saudi delegation, took place after the second practice. F1 and FIA chiefs emerged at 10:40pm local time after the discussions, at which time they insisted the Grand Prix would still go ahead.

Sulayem insisted the attackers were 'not targeting the track', explaining the authorities 'had meetings with the high-level security then we had meetings with the team principals and the drivers'.

"And to assure you that, they are targeting the infrastructure of the economy not the civilians and, of course, not the track. Of course, we have checked the facts from them and we have had the assurance from the high authorities of the safety here and let's go racing," he added.

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Domenicali also assured the officials had 'received total assurance of the country's safety first', saying: "They have placed all the systems to protect this area. So, we feel confident that we have to trust the local authority in that respect. We will of course go ahead with the event."

Red Bull principal Christian Horner expressed belief the sport 'has to stand together' amid the matter, stressing terrorism in any form 'cannot be condoned' and that 'sport shouldn't be bullied into a position'.

"A situation like that just isn't acceptable. Stefano and the president are dealing with it, there has been all of the assurances from the organisers and we'll be going racing."

Saudi Arabian authorities have said there were no casualties from the attack.