La Formula 1 his period continues to be booming expansion virtual and real, with an unprecedented increase in fans and an ever-increasing number of Villages who ask for host a Grand Prix. Among these theSaudi Arabia, already on the calendar from 2021 with the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, would like to bring a second race of the season at Qiddiya, near the capital Riyadh.
The track is under construction since 2019 and was due to enter Formula 1 as the first Saudi Arabian GP before Jeddah took his place. It should, in any case, be available from 2027 and this would imply not a substitution with Jeddah, but an addition to the calendar. In this way, Saudi Arabia would "emulate" the United States and Italy as a country with more than one GP on the calendar. Rumors about it have been circulating for several months already, but for a few days now the probability of seeing this hypothesis come true has further increased.
The expansion of F1 in Saudi Arabia
The president of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, Prince Khalid bin Sultan al-Abdullah al-Faisal, spoke thus to Reuters: “Saudi Arabia is a very large market, we have a strong economy. The idea of having two races in Saudi Arabia is feasible. F1 is growing and there is a lot of demand here. Saudi Arabia is big and the regions are very far apart, like the United States”.
“Three races are held in the USA because the market is large and there is strong demand. There is demand here, but the decision has not been made. There are many things we need to consider: Is this practical and feasible for FOM and teams? We have built this track to last, so in theory we can have two races. This sport is growing, the demand is growing, so I wouldn't be surprised if Saudi Arabia hosts two GPs in the near future. The question is there and we have two beautiful structures".
Does F1 really need it?
The question to ask is one: in a calendar never so full, with 23 races and 6 qualifying sprints, is there really a need to bring another Grand Prix? The Qiddiya circuit, then, will be pretty sure for modern Formula 1? Last weekend the Jeddah track, after necessary modifications due to the numerous and dangerous accidents of the first two years, finally seemed safe. The pilots certainly won't want to start over with Qiddiya.
SOURCE STATEMENTS: FormulaPassion
