In case of serious threat, FIA can cancel race: 'Waiting for authorities'

During the first free practice session for the Saudi Grand Prix, an Aramco facility was attacked. The building is close to the circuit where Formula 1 will be present this weekend, so organizers are monitoring the situation. Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater provides more insight.

"This is a developing story, we haven’t had any official confirmation on exactly what this explosion and fire is or exactly what has caused it, but it appears to be at an oil depot near the track. There have been reports that it is the result of an attack by the Jemeni Houthi rebels. Yemen has been involved in a long-running conflict with Saudi Arabia", Slater says at Sky Sports News.

Several rocket attacks on Jeddah preceded the Grand Prix weekend. The F1 organization kept a close eye on the situation, but decided to let the race go on as usual. The threat was not so serious that the event had to be canceled.

Event could possibly be cancelled

However, the explosion that occurred during FP1 was only ten kilometers away from the F1 circuit. The plumes of smoke were clearly visible during the practice session on Friday. For now, the organization is awaiting messages from the authorities.

"We are still waiting on official confirmation." The FIA plays a major role in the decision whether or not to allow FP2 to go ahead. Formula 2 qualifying did go ahead as usual after FP1. "For sure the FIA, they license this event, if they felt that there were serious concerns, then they could withdraw that licence and possibly close this event down. If it is considered to be a rocket attack in that kind of proximity, you would ask yourself how it could possibly be that this event can go on."