Saudi Arabia has taken a step into the future of motorsport with the unveiling of a brand-new, purpose-built Formula 1 circuit near Riyadh, a facility whose estimated cost is about USD 500 million. The track will be located in Qiddiya City, a massive “city-within-a-city” development created under the kingdom’s broader economic transformation plan. The new venue, referred to as Qiddiya Speed Park Track, signals a pivot from the existing street-circuit format in Jeddah Corniche Circuit. While Jeddah has hosted the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix since 2021, Qiddiya aims to become the permanent home of Saudi motorsport.
F1 Track Design and Engineering
The track is the result of collaboration between renowned track designer Hermann Tilke and former Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz, combining Tilke’s experience with Wurz’s driver-centric perspective.
Key specifications announced so far:
- Layout: 21 corners, with a mix of permanent circuit segments and street-circuit-style sections running through the attractions of Qiddiya.
- DRS Zones: Three DRS (Drag Reduction System) activation zones are planned, setting the stage for high-speed overtaking.
- Elevation change: Up to 108 meters of vertical variation across the circuit, a surprising contrast to typical flat tracks.
- Top speed: Cars are projected to exceed 325 km/h along the straights.
The “Blade,” a First Corner Unlike Any Other
Perhaps the most striking feature of the Qiddiya Speed Park Track is its first corner, dubbed “Blade.” This corner is no ordinary bend; it climbs some 70 meters into the air, roughly equivalent to a 20-story building. Underneath this towering turn, the architects plan a concert venue, a bold fusion of motorsport, entertainment, and architecture.
Elsewhere on the circuit, part of the track will run alongside an amusement park rollercoaster (inspired by the planned Six Flags theme park in Qiddiya) and other leisure attractions. Spectators will experience the race differently: instead of traditional grandstands, the venue plans terrace-style viewing sections and balconies, combining the feel of a sports arena with that of an entertainment complex.
For Saudi Arabia, the project goes beyond motorsport. The Qiddiya Speed Park Track is part of a larger vision to position Qiddiya City as a global entertainment and tourism hub incorporating fast cars, thrill rides, concerts, hospitality, and leisure.
As the managing director of the group behind Qiddiya said, the goal is to turn this circuit into “a true embodiment of Qiddiya’s power-of-play philosophy,” making it one of the leading motorsport venues worldwide. Beyond F1, the purpose is to host a broad range of high-level motorsport events, possibly even MotoGP or endurance racing, leveraging the diverse layout and entertainment infrastructure.
Timeline and What Lies Ahead
Based on public statements and design releases, the new circuit is not expected to be race-ready before the second half of this decade, likely around 2027 or later, with some sources citing 2028 as a target for hosting its first world-championship event. Until then, the Saudi Grand Prix will continue to be staged on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. But once completed, Qiddiya Speed Park Track could reshape the face of Formula 1 and global motorsport, offering a spectacle far beyond racing: a fusion of speed, architecture, entertainment, and tourism.
With this project, Saudi Arabia is signaling how deeply the kingdom is willing to invest in transforming its global image, using motorsport as a vehicle for cultural and economic purposes.
For fans, drivers, and the global motorsport industry, Qiddiya Speed Park Track represents a leap into the future: a circuit that challenges tradition, expands what a “race weekend” can look like, and redefines what a Formula 1 venue can be.
