Rocket attack shocks Formula 1: Jeddah race in danger
Created: 03/25/2022Updated: 03/25/2022, 19:32
A plume of smoke rises from a burning oil storage facility in Jeddah.
© Hassan Ammar/AP/dpa
A missile attack shocks Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia.
The sport becomes a minor matter, fear moves into the paddock.
The race in Jeddah is probably on the brink.
Jeddah – The smell of smoke from the shocking rocket attack crept up under the helmet of Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen.
"It smells burnt, is that my car?" the Red Bull driver radioed to the pits during the first practice session for the Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia.
But the cause was far more frightening.
According to their own statements, Yemeni Houthi rebels had again attacked a plant of the oil company Aramco, which is the main sponsor of the racing series, near the track in Jeddah.
Saudi state television also confirmed a "hostile operation" by Houthi rebels near Jeddah.
Just last Sunday, the rebels launched attacks against Saudi Arabia with a missile and drones.
An Aramco plant in Jeddah was also hit, and fire broke out at an oil tank.
Main sponsor targeted
The Formula 1 leadership immediately requested information and further security guarantees from the authorities.
After a hastily convened meeting with all the drivers and team bosses, the decision was made to start the second practice session with a slight delay of 15 minutes.
In the evening further consultations should follow about the hosting of the Grand Prix weekend at the Red Sea.
"If safety is guaranteed for the next two days, we should drive," said Red Bull Motorsport Director Helmut Marko on Sky.
The background to the conflict is the war in Yemen, which Saudi Arabia is waging against the Houthi rebels.
The war has triggered one of the greatest current humanitarian catastrophes.
The Saudi energy giant Aramco, which has been targeted by the rebels, is a major financier of Formula 1 and title sponsor of the British racing team Aston Martin, for which Sebastian Vettel drives.
Vettel had to forgo the trip to Jeddah because of a corona infection.
As at the start in Bahrain, his compatriot Nico Hulkenberg stepped in as a substitute.
Leclerc fastest
However, the sporting preparation for the second race of the season became a minor matter due to the events off the track.
Charles Leclerc, who had led Ferrari to a double success last week, relegated champion Verstappen to second place in both training sessions.
For the qualification on Saturday (6 p.m. / Sky), the two 24-year-olds are again the favorites - if they drive.
Saudi Arabia is considered to be quite safe compared to other countries in the region, but there have also been several terrorist attacks there.
At the end of 2020, the Islamic State terrorist militia claimed responsibility for an attack on a ceremony in Jeddah, in which two people were injured.
Strict safety regulations usually apply to major events such as sporting events in the country.
criticism of Saudi Arabia
The selection of Saudi Arabia as Formula 1 host had already triggered heavy criticism before the race debuted last December.
The kingdom is accused of serious human rights violations.
Most recently, the country executed 81 people in one day.
In an interview with the German Press Agency before the Grand Prix, climate activist Luisa Neubauer accused Formula 1 of being inconsistent with human rights violations.
"They also pull sport into a corner where it doesn't have to be, and with it the fans and sports enthusiasts," said Neubauer, who is one of the leading figures in the Fridays for Future movement.
more on the subject
Neubauer: Formula 1 is inconsistent when it comes to human rights
Corona slows down Vettel: comeback from Hülkenberg in Bahrain
Despite attacks: race in Saudi Arabia should take place
Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali had described the reports of the mass executions as "alarming".
But he also said: "The fact that we are there puts the spotlight on topics that would otherwise appear elsewhere in the news."
