After the final car had rolled back into the garage after the first free practice session for the European Grand Prix, leading figures from Formula One, the Valencia circuit and many drivers joined together and held a three-minute silence in tribute to those who lost their lives in the plane crash at Madrid airport two days ago. Bernie Ecclestone, Ron Dennis, Frank Williams and many drivers stood quietly in the port area while the sport took a few moments to reflect.

The accident, which happened at the airport used by many of the attendees of the European Grand Prix for connections, has claimed more than 150 lives and is said to be one of the worst aviation tragedies in over a decade. Spanish driver Fernando Alonso spoke to the media when he arrived in Valencia yesterday, and said he was deeply saddened by the events. Alonso went on to say that a shadow has been cast over his second home race and it was he who asked for the three-minute silence.

It will definitely change the weekend for me, because it’s a tragedy what happened. All the Spanish people are in shock and I am too. It’s probably the saddest approach to a weekend I have had. Fernando Alonso.

The start of the GP2 practice session was delayed slightly out of respect and to allow the gathering of people to be on the circuit.