The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix wishes for a different date in 2022
The promoter of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, whose inaugural race will take place in December, wishes for the 2022 edition to be held at the beginning of the year.
This year, the very first Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix will be held. The race will take place at the Jeddah circuit, whose facilities will be at the cutting edge of technology. The Grand Prix will be the penultimate round of the season (December 5). But for next year, the President of the Saudi Arabian Motor Sport Federation, Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Abdullah Al Faisal, has expressed a preference for the race to be held at the beginning of the year.
« For us, as a promoter, we prefer not to be part of the final races. Teams can achieve very good results in the first races, and then the following races become less interesting from the promoter’s point of view. », he declared.
« We wanted to have a race at the beginning of the season, but considering the time it took to complete the work on the track and prepare it, we were unable to have a race at the beginning of the year in 2021. Our decision was to have a race at the end of 2021, or to have a race at the beginning of 2022. Our final decision was that we wanted the race in 2021. We are now discussing with F1 regarding what is best for us concerning our race in 2022, and I hope we can reach an agreement. »
As the 2022 season is expected to start (as every year) in Australia, the intensifying Covid-19 pandemic in Oceania could force the organizers to postpone the Grand Prix to the end of the year. The Sakhir circuit in Bahrain could then be the opening Grand Prix next year, before the F1 cars head to Saudi Arabia.
The latest Sprint Qualifying in Jeddah?
As the Sprint Qualifying made its big debut at Silverstone and was confirmed for Monza, it must be organized during a third Grand Prix, outside of Europe, but this one has not yet been revealed.
Present at Silverstone, Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Abdullah Al Faisal was won over by this new qualifying format and expressed a certain interest in it. The promoter even admitted that he would not be against organizing a Sprint Qualifying session in Jeddah.
« I was at Silverstone last weekend and I really enjoyed it, as a spectator and as a promoter. I think it’s great. You have more races to watch, more action on Saturdays. We would love to be one of the countries hosting a sprint race.
« The decision now belongs to F1 and we will see. Will they take place in another country? Will it be three countries in Europe, or will the Middle East be one of them? I would love to see them in Saudi Arabia. »
While some rumors suggest that the third Sprint Qualifying could be held in Brazil, the current health situation could lead to the cancellation of the Grand Prix. In case Interlagos is unable to host the race, Saudi Arabia could then have a good opportunity.
