A Formula 1 race in Saudi Arabia from 2021?
After the introduction of Formula E in Saudi Arabia, the premier category of motorsport might also hold a race in the largest country in the Middle East.
Information revealed by the Times, Saudi Arabia is said to have started negotiations with Liberty Media to organize a Grand Prix in the Middle East. The arrival of this new country aims to introduce Formula 1 to a larger part of the globe. A bit like Vietnam for 2020 and Russia in 2014. A desire for expansion that raises some ethical issues.
The Absolute Monarchy of Saudi Arabia is not known for respecting human rights, and various executions such as that of journalist Jamal Khashoggi would not give Formula 1 a very good image. The teams and Liberty Media will ask the Kingdom for guarantees on the safety of personnel, journalists, and all other people working on a Grand Prix.
Saudi Arabia already has a concrete circuit plan. A layout located in the ambitious Qiddiya project, which is expected to include several sports and other entertainment.
If Saudi Arabia were to establish itself as a new Grand Prix, the number of races on the calendar could exceed twenty. Indeed, Liberty Media is interested in a Grand Prix in Marrakech as well as in Miami, while Spain and Mexico seem well-positioned to retain their annual editions.
فيديو يروي المتعة التي ستعيشونها في #القدية ويحكي تفاصيل مثيرة لا تُمل .. شاهد المخطط العام #للقدية النابضة بالحياة! #القدية_أكثر_بكثير pic.twitter.com/BmYyAYiqVm
— Qiddiya – القدية (@qiddiya) 24 juillet 2019
