Missile attack in Jeddah, in the middle of the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia

The projectile, launched by the Houthis, hit the factory of Aramco, sponsor of Formula 1.

Yemeni rebels on Friday claimed responsibility for a series of drone and missile attacks in Saudi Arabia that sparked a massive fire at an Aramco oil facility in Jeddah.

“We carried out several drone and ballistic missile strikes,” including an “Aramco facility in Jeddah (and) vital facilities in Riyadh,” the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels said in a statement.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the rebels confirmed the attack, which came on the eve of the seventh anniversary of its military intervention in Yemen’s brutal civil war.

Smoke billowed near the Jeddah F1 track where several drivers were taking part in free practice on Friday.

Red Bull world champion Max Verstappen said he could smell the flames while driving. “I can smell burning…is it my car?” the Dutchman asked over the team radio

The rebels claimed responsibility for a total of 16 attacks against various targets, including a power station in Jizan, on the border with Yemen, which was set on fire.

The Saudi-led coalition has been intervening in Yemen since 2015 to support the internationally recognized government, a year after rebels seized the capital, Sana’a.