Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to continue despite nearby attack

Formula 1’s Saudi Arabian GP is continuing as planned following a fire at an oil depot close to the circuit on Friday, which Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim was an attack by the group.

A large black smoke cloud could be seen from the F1 track towards the end of first practice, with the Aramco oil depot ablaze around seven miles from the track.

Max Verstappen reported on team radio that he could smell “burning” from the cockpit of his Red Bull car.

Practice continued as normal, though there was a 15-minute delay to the start of second practice as drivers and team principals met with F1 president Stefano Domenicali and the FIA’s Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Domenicali assured them that the weekend would proceed as planned and that security has been a priority for authorities.

An F1 statement then said: “Formula 1 has been in close contact with the relevant authorities following the situation that took place today.

“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.”

Yemen’s Houthis rebels claimed responsibility for a barrage of attacks on the kingdom, according to the Associated Press.

While Saudi Arabia and its state-run oil behemoth Saudi Aramco did not immediately acknowledge the blaze, it was centered on the same oil depot that the Houthis had attacked in recent days.

The al-Masirah satellite news channel run by Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed they had attacked an Aramco facility in Jeddah, along with other targets in Riyadh and elsewhere. The report provided no further details.

Near the end of first practice Verstappen said on team radio: “I smell a bit of a burning feeling. I am not sure if it is my car, or another car.”

His engineer Gianpiero Lambiase replied: “We are happy it is not your car.”

In other news Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel continues to return positive test for Covid-19 with fellow German Nico Hulkenberg replacing him for the second week in a row.