Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to go ahead following attacks

Houthi rebels had hit two holding tanks at Aramco terminal near Jeddah F1 circuit

The Jeddah street circuit during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix practice on Friday, March 25, 2022. Getty

Pierre Gasly of AlphaTauri during practice ahead of the Saudi Arabia GP at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Getty

George Russell of Mercedes during practice at the Saudi Arabian GP. Getty

Sparks fly behind Alexander Albon's car at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Getty

George Russell of Mercedes and McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl leave a meeting attended by all of the drivers, team principals, Stefano Domenicali, CEO of the Formula One Group and Ross Brawn, managing director. Getty

Lewis Hamilton after the drivers' and team principals' meeting. Getty

Sergio Perez of Mexico and Red Bull Racing leaves the paddock after a meeting attended by drivers, team principals, Stefano Domenicali and Ross Brawn. Getty

Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner and Jost Capito, CEO of Williams F1 leave the paddock after a meeting. Getty

Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon after a meeting on Friday. Getty

Formula One organisers plan to go ahead with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after teams received safety assurances and drivers met for more than four hours following attacks on an oil facility near the Jeddah street circuit on Friday.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels hit two holding tanks at the Aramco terminal in Jeddah. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks. The Houthis fired at least 16 projectiles at civilian infrastructure in the regions of Jeddah, Najran, Jazan and Dhahran Al Janub.

However, the opening practice run went ahead on Friday and the race is set to continue.

"We have received total assurance that the country’s safety is first," Formula One chief executive Stefano Domenicali said after a meeting with drivers, teams and local authorities.

He said senior Saudi figures were also at the track with their families.

"So they have in place all the systems to protect this area, the city, the places where we are going. So we feel confident and we have to trust the local authority in that respect," added the Italian.

Domenicali said the grid's 10 teams were in agreement that the race should not be cancelled.

"We are here all together," he continued. "We are standing together. We need to trust the local authorities, not only here but all around the world. If that's not the case then we would be in a situation that is not manageable."

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of the sport's governing FIA, was confident of the safety infrastructure in place for the race.

"We have the assurance from a high level that this is a secure place, the whole thing will be secure and let’s go on racing," he said.

On Saturday, the FIA came out with statement, confirming once again that the race weekend in the kingdom will go ahead as planned.

"Formula 1 and the FIA can confirm that following discussions with all the teams and drivers, the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will continue as scheduled," the statement said.

"Following the widely reported incident that took place in Jeddah on Friday, there has been extensive discussion between all stakeholders, the Saudi government authorities and security agencies who have given full and detailed assurances that the event is secure."

Flames ripped through the Aramco oil refinery and drivers even smelt the fire during the opening practice run.

Drivers held nearly four hours of meetings with team bosses, Domenicali and managing director Ross Brawn into the early hours of Saturday.