Saudi Arabia eyes second annual Formula 1 Grand Prix?
Oct.17 - Saudi Arabia is keen to host a second annual Formula 1 race.
The Arabian kingdom held its first night grand prix on the streets of Jeddah last year, with sports minister and former racing driver Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal admitting he "wouldn't say no" to a second venue.
"We really see the benefits of these events for the kingdom and that's why we invest so much," he is quoted by Sport1.
2022 Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix 2022 on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit
He said Saudi Arabia "definitely" has the capacity for two Formula 1 races each year.
"We need to discuss it with Formula 1 to see how it goes," the minister added.
Currently, a new permanent circuit is being built in Qiddiya, which is reportedly an entertainment megaproject in Riyadh - the Saudi capital.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, however, says the sport's annual calendar will hit its maximum capacity of 24 grands prix next year.
"I don't want to discuss a further increase in the number of races," he is quoted by motorsport-magazin.com.
"When choosing venues, we take into account many factors but have quite clearly decided that 24 is our maximum, even if there are many more offers than there are dates on the calendar."
One option for Saudi Arabia might therefore be alternating between its two F1 venues each year.
"That was the case in Germany with the Nurburgring and Hockenheim and it could be an option for us," al-Faisal said.
At the same time, the fate of the highly popular Dutch F1 GP at Zandvoort is still undecided beyond next year.
The Noordhollands Dabglad newspaper quotes race boss Jan Lammers as admitting that "nothing has been signed yet" beyond 2023.
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Should we be there at all. Oh I forgot they own the FIA.
Agree with that ... SA has a terrible human rights record and are generally aligned with tyrants (look at what they just did to help Putin with oil production).
Clearly, no country is immune ... but if you look at what certain countries are currently doing (China, Russia, Saudia Arabia, Qatar and the UAE), those are particularly bad and should be banned to avoid sportswashing.
I get that they provide F1 a lot of money, but is it worth it?
A second race in Japan or England, back to Kuala Lumpor or guaranteed races for France, Belgium, Germany, and South Africa... Portugal, Colombia also both want to hold F1 races on proper racings circuits would make the sport better.
Or, heck, even take those 3-4 spots and use to rotate venues to expand the market and provide variety.
Ive banged on about this before ,UK is particularly bad about Saudi, but its to do with Arms Sales, but Totally agree, seeing f1 cars zipping around knicker brook would be lovely--sounds much better than the Dames Straight yes i did say Knicker Brook..!!! lol (Skillfully avoided any obvious reference to a straight dame or .... no , no i'm not going there lol
The Jeddah circuit isn't bad so as long as the second race is on a dedicated track, I wouldn't mind.
why not 3?
While we all know that a successful bid to hold a F1 GP depends on who can provide the fattest unmarked envelopes under the table, there should be a limit of one race per country. As a true world championship the races should be spread around rather than one country having a monopoly with a number of events.
Greed will probably prevail once again!
Under the table is way out of touch , these days the envelopes are passed straight across the table in the Flavio Hospitality Suite, turn left at the Mercedes secret mole Fia Caravan and its right there opposite the (Lawyers on standby) trade stand sponsored by Toto.
Keep up Stropy (watch out, Caned will be telling me off for my spelling again). Flav is Jw’s new barmaid and bromance, they go back a long way, their new venue is called Flav and Jonny’s sporting Jager bar. little Mrs Horner does her Cabernet in the corner.
I,m told Jäger Bombs are dispensed ad hoc wrapped in solid gold takeaway glasses provided by the Saudi’s to all the Fia officials who are now to smashed to decide how to wriggle out of capgate.
How is missy Masi by the way, getting over the breakup?
I’ll have another, one for you too Skrop old boy.🥳
2028 is the current estimation for the Qiddiya track completion, after another postponement, with the original being next year or 2024, following 2026 before 2028.
Therefore, from 2028 at the earliest for the above equation.
I hear the workforce are rebellious and keep striking.
As I said before that's six years away, probably won't have fi cars as we know them it could be jet propelled hover cars or something more ingenious like a Harry Potter Quiddich arena,, LOL.
Given the size of the USA surely they should have at least 4.
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