PRACTICE was delayed by 15 minutes in Saudi Arabia after drivers were called into a meeting with Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali regarding the terror attack earlier today.
An Aramco facility 12 miles away from the Jeddah track was targeted, with smoke from the terrifying explosion visible as drivers took part in FP1.
Smoke was visible from the track in Jeddah
A terrifying explosion occurred 12 miles from the Jeddah track
Amid fears over how this race weekend is to proceed, FP2 was delayed by 15 minutes as drivers and teams spoke with Domenicali over how best to deal with the matter.
The second practice session of the day had been due to get underway at 5pm UK time.
Today’s incident came just days after a nearby petroleum depot was attacked.
Responsibility for the attack was claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels who have been battling the Saudi-backed government.
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Fears have been raised that Sunday’s Grand Prix could be cancelled after the series of attacks, however understands that such action is unlikely.
After a short delay, FP2 eventually got underway at 5:15pm UK time.
As a result of the explosion, flights from Jeddah were held at sea or diverted.
The explosion didn’t go unnoticed by drivers taking part in FP1 earlier this afternoon.
World champion Max Verstappen asked his team if his car was on fire after smelling fumes.
While plumes of smoke were clearly visible from Carlos Sainz’s dashcam.
FP1 was completed earlier despite obvious concerns surrounding today’s attack, with last week’s Bahrain GP winner Charles Leclerc round quickest.
His Ferrari team-mate Sainz was fourth fastest, with Verstappen second and Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas third.
British superstar Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, was ninth-quickest around the circuit – having tasted victory in Jeddah back in December.
