A nearby oil distribution center, not the Grand Prix, was the target.
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA: Friday’s Practice Session #2 was delayed to accommodate late drivers and brief teams about a missile that hit just a few miles away from the circuit. The target was an Aramco distribution center. Despite the attack, officials said that the competition would continue as scheduled this weekend in conjunction with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Corniche International Circuit in Jeddah.
On the track, Charles Leclerc set the fastest practice time of 1:30:074. Max Verstappen placed his Red Bull in second with the second Ferrari of Carlos Sainz Jr.
Sergio Perez led the rest of the top grid with fourth in his Red Bull, followed by the two Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, who were fifth and sixth, respectively. Lando Norris found his rhythm in his McLaren, placing seventh, with Esteban Ocon eighth with his Alpine. Valtteri Bottas finished ninth in the Alfa Romeo.
On the flip side, Kevin Magnussen, who took fifth place last week in Bahrain, wasn’t a factor on Friday because of a hydraulic issue. The problem seemed to be fixed at first but continued when the car lost power at sector two.
Leclerc also faced challenges, as did Alpha Tauri’s Yuki Tsunoda. Leclerc went too fast around turn four and clipped his Ferrari’s left front wing. The incident damaged the suspension in that area, and Leclerc limped back to the pits. The Monegasque did not return to the street circuit because the damage could not be repaired quickly. Then, with the session just ending, Tsunoda pulled his car off at sector one with what was diagnosed as a possible engine issue. Despite the exit, Tsunoda ended up in tenth.
Qualifying and the race will be televised on ESPN2 on Saturday at 1 p.m.
