Saudi Arabia Grand Prix in doubt following missile attack on Jeddah

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is set to take place this weekend

Formula One officials are 'monitoring' the ongoing situation ahead of this weekend's Saudi Arabia Grand Prix after an attempted missile attack on the city of Jeddah. As reported by Reuters, the Saudi-led coalition who are fighting in Yemen claimed on Sunday that they had intercepted a 'hostile air target' which was heading in the direction of Jeddah. It follows after a recent attack on Aramco fuel plant in the city, which had been organised by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi group, firing missiles and drones at the facilities. Al Arabiya English were told by a spokesperson from the Arab coalition that they had "destroyed 106 explosive-laden boats that had posed a threat to the freedom of navigation in the southern Red Sea."

How likely is it that the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix will be postponed?

As of yet, no final decision has been made on whether to postpone or relocate this weekend's Grand Prix, but officials are continuing to remain cautious amid the possible threat of another attack. One race weekend has already been removed from the calendar after the Russian Grand Prix was axed following Vladimir Putin's recent invasion of Ukraine. The second race of the new F1 season is set to take place in Saudi Arabia this weekend following the season opener in Bahrain last weekend, when Ferrari's Charles Leclerc claimed the win while defending champion Max Verstappen was forced to retire from the race. This is the second time that the Middle Eastern state will host a race weekend after it was added to the calendar in 2021, however the decision was met with controversy, given the Arab nation's appalling human rights records and ongoing attacks on Yemen. Related links:

• Max Verstappen forced to retire from Bahrain Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc triumphs
• F1 cancel this season’s Russian Grand Prix following Ukraine invasion
• Nikita Mazepin hits out at Haas’ decision to terminate contract