Saudi Arabia has officially unveiled plans for F1 and also other motor racing and entertainment points at Qiddiya under Vision 2030.
After reports of Saudi Arabia already hosting a F1 race in Jeddah in 2021 and probably moving to Qiddiya in 2022, the organisers have officially relayed details of Vision 2030 with the end of the 2020 Dakar Rally, earlier this week.
Chief executive officer Mike Reininger discussed about the plans regarding a race track, not specifically for F1 but for motor racing events, which may include MotoGP and WEC. He shunned the reports that the circuit won’t be ready before 2023.
“We’re building a facility in the hope there will be a deal struck and there is a race here in Saudi,” said Reininger in a report on BBC Sport. “The formalisation of a race is not for us at Qiddiya. It is outside the confines of the project itself.
“But we are building a facility that will be able to host a really world-class event as one of the signature items we will have on offer here at Qiddiya as we open in 2023.” The first step towards building an entertainment hub in Qiddiya started with Dakar.
The final stage ended in Qiddiya, Saudi Arabia, with dignitaries from F1 like Alexander Wurz, David Coulthard, Nico Hulkenberg and Romain Grosjean present for the Dakar finale, with MotoGP rider Loris Capirossi also in attendance, for the podium ceremony.
Wurz, who is also a track designer, spoke about the upcoming track. “It’s a privilege of a lifetime to design the motion and mobility zone in Qiddiya, including the Speedpark track,” he said. “The project offers us amazing opportunities to design a track, a true racing arena for the drivers and spectators.
“The design offers amazing elevation changes, making use of the stunning natural landscape. Equally, it is made to challenge drivers and engineers alike. And, from our simulation runs, I can assure you it is absolutely thrilling as an on- and off-track experience.”
Here’s the video of Saudi Arabia Vision 2030:
Here’s the earlier report of F1 race in Saudi Arabia
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