Formula 1 are waiting for more details about a fire at an oil refinery near the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which hosts the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend.
Security fears emerged in the build-up to this weekend’s race after it was reported a missile aimed towards Jeddah had been intercepted and destroyed. The “hostile air target” was reported to have been fired by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group, who had attacked an Aramco distribution plant in Jeddah.
That happened last Sunday and with Formula 1 having been reported to be “monitoring the situation”, another incident of concern took place today during the first free practice session for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Black smoke could be seen in the sky as the result of a large fire at what was said to be the same Aramco facility near the international airport around 10 miles from the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Burning oil could be smelt, with local media stating it could have been caused by another attack from the Houthis. Security at the circuit is reported to have been strengthened.
A Formula 1 spokesman is quoted as saying: “The position at the moment is that we are waiting for further information from the authorities on what has happened.”
News about the fire broke between the FP1 and FP2 sessions as Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc secured the fastest lap of the first free practice session.
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