Missile attack rocks F1 days before Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

F1 bosses entered into emergency meetings after missile attacks in Saudi Arabia targeted an area close to the venue for the next race.

Organisers announced the Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix will continue “as planned” despite an attack by Yemeni rebels on an oil facility which set off a huge fire visible from Jeddah’s street circuit.

Flames ripped through the nearby Aramco oil refinery and drivers smelt the fire during the opening practice run.

Watch Every Practice, Qualifying & Race of the 2022 FIA Formula One World Championship™ Live, starting with the 2022 Bahrain Grand Prix From March 18. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >

Drivers and team bosses attended an emergency meeting in the paddock with race organisers and F1 management shortly before the second practice session.

The start of the session was delayed by 15 minutes as F1 boss Stefano Domenicali insisted the race weekend would continue.

“Formula 1 has been in close contact with the relevant authorities following the situation that took place today,” said an F1 spokesman.

“The authorities have confirmed that the event can continue as planned and we will remain in close contact with them and all the teams and closely monitor the situation.”

More meetings were held later in the day and talks dragged on for hours, as drivers reportedly aired safety concerns about staying in Saudi Arabia and racing. There were also calls for the Grand Prix to be scrapped.

F1 journalist Andrew Benson tweeted: “I’m struggling to remember a time when the drivers have made such a public demonstration of unhappiness with a situation in F1 since the 1982 Kyalami drivers’ strike. But I’m happy to be corrected if others can.”

Broadcaster Jennie Gow added: “This is quite a stand from the drivers. Whatever comes from tonight’s events, it clearly is an important moment in the sport. #F1 drivers have a voice and will use it when they feel they have to. Fascinating turn of events.”

Smoke and flames rise from a Saudi Aramco oil facility near the F1 circuit. (Photo by AFP)

However, Red Bull boss Christian Horner said the show must go on and for now, F1 powerbrokers are pushing ahead.

“F1 will not be bullied,” Horner said. “The sport has to stand against this. No terrorism of this kind can be condoned. The sport must not be bullied in this way.”

Despite their many disagreements in last year’s tense and dramatic world championship, Horner and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff were united that the show must go on.

“We had a good meeting and we — the team principals — are all agreed on this to go ahead. This circuit is probably the safest place in Saudi Arabia at this moment,” said Wolff.

World champion Max Verstappen was one of the first drivers to be aware of the drama unfolding as he guided his Red Bull through the first practice session.

“I smell burning - is it my car?” said the Dutchman on his team radio.

Speaking after the meeting, Haas team boss Gunther Steiner told ServusTV: “We were assured by the government that it is safe to drive here. After practice, we’ll have another meeting.

“Personally, I feel absolutely safe. Otherwise I wouldn’t be here.”

The attack — reportedly a missile strike — was part of a wave of assaults ahead of the seventh anniversary of a Saudi-led coalition’s military intervention against the Huthis in Yemen, a country in the grips of a major humanitarian crisis.

The coalition fighting the Iran-backed rebels confirmed the Jeddah oil plant attack.

“They are trying to impact the nerve-centre of the world economy,” the coalition said in a statement.

“These attacks have no impact on life in Jeddah,” it added.

Worrying scenes caused emergency meetings among F1 powerbrokers. (Photo by AFP)

Meanwhile, on the track, Charles Leclerc topped the final practice times for Ferrari ahead of Verstappen, while Aussie Daniel Ricciardo was 11th fastest — two places quicker than McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

Leclerc, the 24-year-old Monegasque driver and early-season leader of the championship, clocked a best lap in one minute and 30.074 to outpace the Dutchman by nearly two-tenths.

Carlos Sainz was third in the second Ferrari and Sergio Perez fourth in his Red Bull with a determined Lewis Hamilton fifth ahead of his new Mercedes teammate George Russell after a day of bumping and sliding on the high-speed circuit.

After the 15-minute delay, Leclerc, who won the season-opener in Bahrain last week, picked up where he had in opening practice by setting the early pace again.

Both Sainz and Hamilton complained of “porpoising” before the two Red Bulls joined the action, Verstappen going third but more than a second off the leading pace.

Verstappen then clocked the top time, 0.002 ahead of Leclerc as most of the field moved to soft tyres, the Monegasque reclaiming his perch with a lap in 1:30.074, nearly two-tenths quicker.

Teams are preparing for the second race of the year. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

Shortly after this, Kevin Magnussen reported an engine problem with his Haas and came to a halt at Turn 14.

That brought a brief Virtual Safety Car (VSC) deployment before, on resumption, Leclerc clipped a wall with the left front wheel of his Ferrari.

He trundled back to the pits and out of the session just as the race promoters Saudi Motorsport issued a statement confirming the Grand Prix would go ahead as planned.

“We are aware of the attack on the Aramco distribution station in Jeddah earlier this afternoon and remain in direct contact with the Saudi security authorities as well as F1 and the FIA to ensure all necessary security and safety measures continue to be implemented to guarantee the safety of all visitors to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as well as all drivers, teams and stakeholders,” they said.

“The race weekend schedule will continue as planned. The safety and security of all our guests continues to be our main priority and we look forward to welcoming fans for a weekend of premium racing and entertainment.”

Ferrari also issued a statement to confirm that both Leclerc and Sainz had been “kissing the wall” and were out of the session due to damage.