F1 "morality" cannot be judged despite terrorist attack scare

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has insisted the sport's "morality" cannot be judged after continuing with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend in the wake of a nearby terrorist attack.

Max Verstappen outbattled Charles Leclerc to win an enthralling race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit which wasn't certain to take place late on Friday night after practice.

Yemeni Houthis, a rebel group from Saudi Arabia's neighbouring country, claimed responsibility for a missile attack that triggered an explosion at an Aramco distribution centre in Jeddah, with the smoke and flames visible from the racetrack.

Drivers and team principals convened long into the night for talks with Domenicali, Ross Brawn, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem and Saudi authorities before assurances were given for the race to go ahead.

There was already concern ahead of the weekend given the Kingdom's human rights record, with 81 people executed in a single day a fortnight before the race.

On concerns over whether F1 was taking decisions based on money over morality, Domenicali said: "I don't think that is a right consideration.

"No one can judge our morality, to be honest. It is a matter of putting in place all the things that have to be considered.

"Where is the line? That is the question. Our position, and it will always be, is that we believe that what we're doing will have a very positive impact in all the political situations for the best of our life and at all levels.

"This will always be the consideration we will take for our future in the sport, all over the world."

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