Saudi Arabia F1 Grand Prix to proceed despite attack on nearby oil depot

The Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix in Jeddah will proceed today despite a reported terror attack on an oil installation near the city.

The Friday missile attack on the oil depot about 11 kilometres from the Grand Prix track led to a major fire and a thick smoke cloud rising above the city.

While the cloud could be seen in broadcast images of the race’s practice session, Formula 1 officials insisted that the race would be unaffected.

However, the Grand Prix’s second practice was delayed by just 15 minutes following a meeting between drivers, team principals, F1 Chief Executive Stefano Domenicali, and Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of motorsport governing body FIA.

Drivers did not talk about the attack after practice, with comments in media releases limited to the day's racing.

After Yemen’s Houthis rebels acknowledged they launched attacks on the Kingdom, Saudi Arabian state TV said there was a "hostile operation" that targeted the Jeddah oil depot.

Images: Jeddah's Formula 1 Grand Prix (top, credit: Shutterstock) and the fire at the oil installation near the city on Friday (below, credit: Twitter/MLJ @Brilla_Junior.)