A Yemeni rebel attack on a Saudi oil plant set off a huge fire near Jeddah’s Formula One circuit during televised practice sessions on Friday, part of a wave of assaults on Aramco facilities.
Smoke billowed near the circuit and the second practice was delayed in the attack, one of 16 drone-and-missile attacks by the Iran-backed rebels around the kingdom.
The wave of assaults comes ahead of the seventh anniversary of a Saudi-led coalition’s military intervention against the rebels in Yemen, a country in the grip of a major humanitarian crisis.
Oil prices have soared since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sparked supply fears, prompting Western powers to implore Saudi Arabia and other members of the OPEC cartel to ramp up production.
Friday’s attacks targeted “Aramco facilities in Jeddah and vital facilities in the capital of the Saudi enemy, Riyadh”, tweeted Huthi military spokesman Yahya Saree.
The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Iran-backed rebels confirmed the Jeddah attack.
The rebels have frequently launched similar assaults on Saudi oil facilities but the Jeddah attack came as a worldwide audience tuned in for the F1 Grand Prix.
World champion Max Verstappen was one of the first drivers to be aware of the drama unfolding.
“I can smell burning… is it my car?” Verstappen said over the team radio during the first practice session.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said the fire had been brought under control and would not have an impact “on activities in Jeddah”.
F1 boss Stefano Domenicali has insisted the race weekend will go ahead as planned.
Drivers, team bosses and Domenicali had four hours of meetings which ended early Saturday without an official announcement.
Mexican Red Bull driver Sergio Perez however said he was ready for the qualifying session.
“Ready and totally focused for tomorrow’s qualy!” Perez tweeted after the meetings ended at 2:20 am, apparently confirming the decision to race on Sunday.
A F1 spokesperson earlier gave assurances that “the event can continue as planned” as the delayed second practice session got underway.
