Following the missile attacks launched in Saudi Arabia this week, the motorsport world was shocked by an explosion at one of the Aramco plants, a Saudi oil company and F1 partner, during the first free practice session this Friday.
A huge curtain of smoke and fire erupted around the Jeddah circuit, and concerns soon arose as to whether it was an accident or, as suspected, a terrorist attack.
While the FIA and F1 awaited official information from the authorities, the Houthis, an insurgent group from Yemen, an ally of Iran and an enemy of Saudi Arabia, claimed responsibility for the attack on the Aramco facility in Jeddah.
It must be clarified, without going into much political and military detail, that this is a conflict that comes from the past, and that for years the unjustified attacks have been in the opposite direction.
According to various sources of information, seven missiles were intercepted but one ended up hitting the Aramco facilities near the international airport, about 16 kilometers from the track where Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3 race this weekend.
After that, the executive director of F1, Stefano Domenicali, called an emergency meeting in the paddock of the circuit. All the team bosses and drivers met there, receiving an update on the attack and what F1 planned to do in response.
A Houthi military spokesman said the organization claimed responsibility for the attack on Aramco facilities, which were hit with missiles, and also the Ras Tanura and Rabigh oil refineries, which were carried out using drones.
As the emergency meeting called by F1 took place near the start of FP2, it was announced that the second practice session would be delayed by 15 minutes. After listening to the latest information, the riders quickly arrived at the box and put on their helmets and overalls ready to go out on the track and finally, at 8:15 p.m. local time (6:15 p.m. in Spain), there was finally a green light and practice began. .
Formula 1 issued a statement confirming that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was going ahead, but the Huiti spokesman made it clear that their attacks would continue until they achieved what they claim for Yemen.
Motorsport.com has learned that a number of drivers were reluctant to continue, but all of them took to the track when FP2 resumed.
It is not confirmed whether the Houthis deliberately timed the attack to coincide with Formula 1, but there is now a logical atmosphere of concern in the premier class of motorsport. Already this week there were attacks in the area, but despite the fact that security was reinforced, it has not been possible to prevent this attack.
Will the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix go ahead? That is the big question, and right now it seems that it will be so, but if the teams or drivers stand up, the second round of the season would be up in the air.
