After weeks of Speculation, Formula 1 finally confirmed that, Saudi Arabia will host Formula 1 night race in 2021 season, the city of Jeddah will host the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in November 2021.
Formula 1 and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation released combined statement to confirm the event. 2021 calendar including Saudi Arabian GP will be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council for approval in the coming weeks.
Saudi Arabia will become the 33rd country to host a round of the Formula 1 world championship. The 2021 race, the first in a long-term partnership between Formula 1 and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), will take place on Jeddah’s corniche, which runs along the banks of the Red Sea, providing a stunning coastal backdrop for a full weekend of live motorsport, entertainment and culture that will take over the second biggest city in Saudi Arabia.
The final track layout is still to be confirmed, but organizers say it will feature a good flow of long straights and tight corners, with no equivalent track on the calendar. The Circuit set to be situated on the Corniche – a 30 km coastal resort area of the city. As such, the track is expected to hug the seafront, providing a stunning natural backdrop for the action.
Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO of Formula 1:
“We are excited to welcome Saudi Arabia to Formula 1 for the 2021 season and welcome their announcement following speculation in recent days. Saudi Arabia is a country that is rapidly becoming a hub for sports and entertainment with many major events taking place there in recent years and we are very pleased that Formula 1 will be racing there from next season.
“The region is hugely important to us and with 70% of the population of Saudi being under 30 we are excited about the potential to reach new fans and bring our existing fans around the world exciting racing from an incredible and historic location. We will be publishing our full provisional 2021 calendar in the coming weeks and this will be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council for approval.”
Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud, the Minister of Sport :
“Saudi Arabia is accelerating forward and the speed, energy, excitement of Formula 1 perfectly reflects the transformational journey the country is on. As we’ve witnessed in recent years our people want to be at the very heart of the biggest moments in live sport and entertainment. And they don’t come any bigger than Formula 1.
“No matter where in the world it’s held, Formula 1 is an event that brings people together to celebrate an occasion that goes far beyond sport. We look forward to sharing this unique experience and sharing Jeddah with the world. For many Saudis this will be a dream come true.”
HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Faisal, President of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation :
Today is ground-breaking in every sense, I firmly believe the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be the biggest sports event hosted in our country’s history and has the potential to change lives, perceptions and reach new audiences and communities like never before. To have the icons of the sport and historic teams race in Saudi in front of young fans and families is truly game-changing.
“We don’t have a rich motorsport heritage, but in a short space of time as a federation we’ve earned a strong reputation of delivering world-class international events such as Formula E and the Dakar Rally. As a result, Saudi Arabia is home to literally millions of passionate young fans of motorsport. Many of whom will already be smiling and counting down to seeing their heroes in November 2021. Our plans will see us take the sport to even more people with a celebration that reaches all communities and is open to all.”
[…] season will finish in Abu Dhabi in early December. As revealed earlier 2021 season will feature the first-ever World Championship race in Saudi Arabia. And the notable exclusion from the list is Vietnam Grand […]