THE F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has been rocked by an explosion at the nearby Aramco oil plant.
We’ll be bringing you all of the latest developments here – and currently that is the race is going ahead as planned this weekend.
An F1 statement said: “Formula 1 has been in close contact with the relevant authorities following the situation that took place.
“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.”
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Max Verstappen reacts
Max Verstappen issued a statement after an eventful practice day in Saudi Arabia.
Verstappen, though, didn’t address the attack that took place before the race.
The Red Bull star tweeted: “A smooth first day here in Jeddah.
“Still a lot of room to improve though so we keep pushing”
FP2 Times reminder
Here’s how the drivers did in the second practice session:
Charles Leclerc: 1:30.074
Max Verstappen: +0.140
Carlos Sainz: +0.246
Sergio Perez: +0.286
Lewis Hamilton: +0.439
George Russell: +0.590
Lando Norris: +0.661
Esteban Ocon: +0.686
Valtteri Bottas: +0.758
Yuki Tsunoda: +0.812
Fernando Alonso: +0.870
Pierre Gasly: +0.889
Mick Schumacher: +1.095
Lance Stroll: +1.298
Daniel Ricciardo: +1.453
Nico Hulkenberg: +1.541
Guanyu Zhou: +1.541
Nicholas Latifi: +1.740
Alexander Albon: +1.792
Kevin Magnussen: +2.270GETTY IMAGES Ben Sulayem reacts
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem also said the following:
“I would say exactly what Stefano said. We had meetings with high-level security, then we had meetings with the team principals, with the drivers, to assure them.
“Who are they targeting? They are targeting the infrastructure, not the civilians, and, of course, not the track.
“We’ve checked the facts from them and we’ve got assurances from the highest level that this is a secure place, the whole thing will be secure, and let’s go on racing.
“For sure, all the families are here, we are all looking forward, but with an assurance that it is safe”
Stefano Domenicali statement
Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali issued the following statement after the earlier terror attack:
“We’ve had a meeting with the drivers and team principals together with the maximum Saudi authorities, with Prince Abdulaziz, the minister of sport, Prince Khalid, and, of course, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the president of the FIA, and the governor of Jeddah.
“We have received total assurance that the country’s safety is first. No matter the situation, safety has to be guaranteed. They are here with their families, actually here at the track, so they have in place the systems to protect this area, the city and the places where we are going.
“So we feel confident to trust the local authorities in that respect and, therefore, we will go ahead with the event”
More on attack
A spokesman claiming to represent the Yemeni Armed Forces took responsibility for the attack before the practice session, along with other incidents in Saudi Arabia.
He claimed on Twitter the attacks were carried out “With batches of ballistic and winged missiles and the unmanned air force.
“Targeting Aramco facilities in Jeddah and vital facilities in the capital of the Saudi enemy, Riyadh, with a batch of winged missiles targeting the Ras Tanura Refinery and Rabigh Oil Refinery by a large number of drones”
Official statement
A statement from the Saudi Motorsport Company who promote the event said: “We are aware of the attack on the Aramco distribution station in Jeddah earlier this afternoon.
“The race organisers remain in direct contact with the Saudi security authorities, as well as F1 and the FIA to ensure all necessary security and safety measures continue to be implemented to guarantee the safety of all visitors to the Formula One stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as well as all drivers, teams and stakeholders.
“The race weekend schedule will continue as planned. The safety and security of all our guests continues to be our main priority and we look forward to welcoming fans for a weekend of premium racing and entertainment”
Saudi GP Latest
Formula One team principals have unanimously agreed that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix should go ahead despite the earlier attack.
Drivers are currently having a separate meeting
Verstappen lashes out
Max Verstappen has slammed Netflix show Drive to Survive for making Lando Norris look “a bit of a d***”.
Verstappen said: “What I didn’t like, and it’s not even about me, it was about Lando and Daniel [Ricciardo], which I think are two great guys.
“They’re really nice, first of all. And it made it look like Lando was a bit of a d***, which he isn’t at all.
“And, again, I know Lando and I think many people know Lando as a funny guy, great guy – he has a great character.
“And actually when you look at that episode, you really think ‘who is this guy, what the hell is going on?’
“When you are new to the sport and you’ve never seen a racing car or Formula One car in general, they don’t like him. And why should that be?
“Because he is a great guy and you just immediately get the wrong picture of a person. And that’s exactly what I think happened to me in the beginning.
“I’m someone [that] when you ruin it from the start, you don’t fix it. That’s it, you ruined it. So, that’s my stance and that’s how I’ll go forward”
GETTY IMAGES More from Hamilton
“It’s so different [here compared to Bahrain]… This track is super-fast, and it’s got a different surface that will behave differently with the tyres.
“A huge amount of work has gone on in the past three days. We’re aware of the problems we have, but in terms of what’s causing it, we’re just working through it, trying to figure that out and how we can rectify it without losing performance – and ultimately gain performance.
“But three days is such a short time between races, so it’s not a huge difference here this weekend. But hopefully we’ll have some things to try.
“And from a driver’s perspective, that’s exciting when you… get into the car, just trying something new and hoping it unlocks a bit of performance. But the others are still very strong”
Lewis Hamilton statement
Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton has vowed ahead to try and get in the championship battle “as soon as possible”.
Hamilton said: “I don’t currently feel too stressed. But I want to get in the fight as soon as possible.
“The last race was an amazing feeling for us, given where we thought we were going to be, to come out with the result that we did.
“But we can’t rely every weekend on that to happen, so we need to move fast, and move forward as fast as we can”
GETTY IMAGES Formula One statement
F1 released the following statement about Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix:
“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”
FP2 Results
Charles Leclerc was the fastest during the second practice session.
However, Leclerc hit the wall to damage his Ferrari
Saudi Grand Prix Reminder
Formula One officials have informed teams that this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go ahead.
That is despite the earlier terror attack
FP2 Times
Charles Leclerc: 1:30.074
Max Verstappen: +0.140
Carlos Sainz: +0.246
Sergio Perez: +0.286
Lewis Hamilton: +0.439
George Russell: +0.590
Lando Norris: +0.661
Esteban Ocon: +0.686
Valtteri Bottas: +0.758
Yuki Tsunoda: +0.812
Fernando Alonso: +0.870
Pierre Gasly: +0.889
Mick Schumacher: +1.095
Lance Stroll: +1.298
Daniel Ricciardo: +1.453
Nico Hulkenberg: +1.541
Guanyu Zhou: +1.541
Nicholas Latifi: +1.740
Alexander Albon: +1.792
Kevin Magnussen: +2.270FP2 ENDS
The second practice session ends.
Tsunoda has to pull over at the side of the track due to an engine issue
Saudi GP BREAKING
F1 have released the following statement:
“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”
FP2 Live
The chequered flag is out.
The second practice session is nearing its end
FP2 Live
Just under five minutes to go.
Sainz’s session is also over this evening, just 12 laps for the Spaniard and 15 for Leclerc .
Saudi GP BREAKING
Formula One officials have informed teams that this weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go ahead despite today’s attack.
That means drivers currently practicing need to take note of how they will approach the race on Sunday
FP2 Live
Hamilton has greatly improved in the last few minutes as he has made it to fifth.
The Mercedes star was dealing with issues relating to his seat
FP2 Live
Leclerc appears to have broken a part of his suspension.
The Ferrari ace makes it to the pits after replays show he tapped the wall at Turn 14
FP2 Live
Haas ace Magnussen has parked up and left the car.
The VSC is called up while marshals set about recovering his car
FP2 Live
A frustrated Hamilton is now complaining about losing power.
The British star is down in 14th place whereas Mercedes team-mate Russell is fifth
FP2 Live
Verstappen is still leading the second practice session.
Leclerc is second while Sainz and Perez follow in third and fourth respectively
FP2 Live
Cars are now pitting to switch to soft tyres.
That means there is going to be some pace
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
