A large plume of smoke rose a few kilometers from the racetrack of the Formula 1 stars.
Despite an attack on a nearby refinery, Formula 1 has started its second practice session for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. According to initial information, Yemeni Houthi rebels again targeted a factory of the oil company Aramco with a drone on Friday.
With a 15-minute delay, the first cars rolled back onto the course on the Red Sea on Friday. “The government gave us the assurance that it is safe to drive here,” said Haas team boss Günther Steiner on ServusTV after a meeting of the team managers and drivers with the FIA and the local organizer. “After the training, we have another meeting with the authorities, with the ministers.” He currently feels safe, says Steiner. “If I didn’t feel safe, I wouldn’t be here either.”
“A drone that was allegedly sent from Yemen got through the security system,” reported Red Bulls consultant Helmut Marko. Later there should be “an official statement on how security can be guaranteed,” said Marko. “We got into this situation completely unexpectedly. I believe that the Grand Prix was deliberately chosen by these terrorists because it gives them the most publicity,” said Marko.
Just last Sunday, Houthi rebels launched attacks against Saudi Arabia using a missile and drones. An Aramco plant in Jeddah was also hit, and fire broke out at an oil tank. The scenes on Friday were reminiscent of these events. “This incident has no impact on the race weekend,” the organizers said at the time. The safety of everyone involved in the Grand Prix is guaranteed, it said.
Saudi Arabia is fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The war has triggered one of the greatest current humanitarian catastrophes. Aramco is the main sponsor of Formula 1 and also a major sponsor of the British racing team Aston Martin.