Prime Highlights:
- Saudi Arabia is building a brand-new $500 million Formula 1 circuitin Qiddiya City, combining racing with entertainment, concerts, and theme park attractions.
- The track is designed to host world-class motorsport eventslike Formula 1, MotoGP, and endurance racing, offering fans a unique race experience.
Key Facts:
- The first corner, “Blade,” rises 70 meters high, with a concert venue planned underneath, blending sports and entertainment.
- Instead of traditional grandstands, the venue will feature terrace-style seating and balconies, giving spectators a mix of sports arena and entertainment complex experiences.
Background:
Saudi Arabia is taking motorsport to a new level with the announcement of a brand-new Formula 1 track near Riyadh, estimated to cost $500 million. The circuit, named Qiddiya Speed Park Track, will be located in Qiddiya City, a large-scale entertainment and tourism development that is part of the kingdom’s broader economic transformation plan.
The new track will replace the current Jeddah Corniche Circuit as the permanent home for Saudi motorsport. The project is a joint effort between circuit designer Hermann Tilke and former Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz, combining Tilke’s design expertise with a focus on the drivers’ experience.
One of the track’s most exciting features is its first corner, “Blade”, which is 70 meters high, about the same as a 20-story building. A concert venue will be built underneath, combining racing with entertainment. Some parts of the track will also pass by a rollercoaster and theme park attractions, creating a fun experience for spectators.
Instead of normal grandstands, the track will have terrace-style seating and balconies, giving fans a mix of a sports arena and an entertainment area.
The project is more than just a racetrack; it is part of Qiddiya City’s plan to become a major tourism and entertainment hub, combining fast racing, concerts, leisure activities, and hospitality. The head of Qiddiya’s development team said the track reflects the city’s idea of combining fun, entertainment, and excitement.
While the track is expected to be completed around 2027–2028, until then, the Saudi Grand Prix will continue at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The project highlights Saudi Arabia’s focus on sports, tourism, and entertainment.
