Jeddah sees world’s largest lego brick build of Formula 1 car for charity

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Updated 10 September 2021
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Jeddah sees world’s largest lego brick build of Formula 1 car for charity

  • SAMF has announced its intention to launch the record-breaking fundraising event for Ehsan
  • The charity platform was founded in April 2020 as part of efforts to support giving in the Kingdom

JEDDAH: The Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation — promoter of the 2021 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix — has announced its plan to assemble the world’s largest lego brick build of a Formula 1 car.

This is in aid of Ehsan, Saudi Arabia’s national platform for charitable work. On successful completion, the official attempt will see Guinness World Records certify the SAMF as an official record holder.

To celebrate Formula 1 coming to Jeddah between Dec. 3-5, SAMF has announced its intention to launch the record-breaking fundraising event for Ehsan.

The charity platform was founded in April 2020 as part of efforts to support giving in the Kingdom across areas including social, educational, health care, relief, environmental, economic and technical care.

The assembly process will take place at Jeddah’s Red Sea Mall and will take about one week to construct, starting on Sept. 15. 

The first brick will be placed by Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Jalawi, adviser to Makkah governor and Jeddah acting governor, and Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the SAMF.

The last brick will be placed on Sept. 23, Saudi National Day, when Guinness World Records representatives will be on hand via livestream to record and certify the lego brick as the world’s largest.

The 2021 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is offering people the chance to personally participate in the world record attempt, brick by brick.

Formula 1 fans in the Kingdom will be able to become a part of this world record-breaking attempt by visiting saudiarabiangp.com/en/lego, where they can register to purchase a brick that will be part of the final assembled lego brick build of an F1 car, with each donation going directly — and in full — to Ehsan.

The final construction is expected to be made up of 500,000 bricks.

Participant names will be displayed on a digital screen as they write their names in history.

The world record-breaking activity will take place less than three months before the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix makes its long-awaited debut in Jeddah. The activation site will reflect the growing excitement that is taking hold of the region as the race draws closer.

The site will also feature display boards depicting a live percentage bar of the car’s completion status, historic F1 race statistics, driver interviews and Formula 1 content to help educate and engage the people of Saudi Arabia.

In raising money for such a good cause, SAMF is using this initiative to merge its ambition for a brighter future for all Saudi citizens with the values of the 2021 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, all of which are in line with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

“It is with great pleasure that I announce our plan to build the largest lego brick build of a Formula 1 car the world has ever seen,” said Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation.

“The 2021 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is all about breaking records and we are therefore delighted to have another record breaker on our hands, with the Jeddah Corniche Circuit also set to become the longest and fastest street circuit in the world.”

“This exciting project is all about giving back to our community and truly reflects our Kingdom’s true ingenuity and commitment to improving the lives of all our citizens. I could not be prouder to be a part of building a better future for our nation’s youth and I am very excited to see the outcome of this ground-breaking activity.”

The 2021 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will mark its arrival in style with the newest circuit in the sport estimated to see drivers reach average speeds of 250km/h, making it the fastest street circuit in the world — and in the top five fastest F1 circuits.

Superstars of F1 are projected to reach top speeds of up to 322km/h as they race toward Turn 27.

Featuring no less than 27 corners, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit stretches to 6.175km in length, making it the second longest circuit on the current F1 calendar behind the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, and the longest street circuit in the sport.

Additionally, three consecutive sections of the circuit have been marked out as potential DRS Zones, ensuring plenty of overtaking opportunities for the drivers throughout the race.


Hojgaard inspires Dubai students as Hero Dubai Desert Classic takes trophy tour to schools

Updated 21 January 2026
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Hojgaard inspires Dubai students as Hero Dubai Desert Classic takes trophy tour to schools

DUBAI: Young Danish star Nicolai Hojgaard helped inspire the next generation of golfers as the Hero Dubai Desert Classic took its Dallah Trophy on tour across Dubai schools before the tournament’s 37th edition.

The Middle East’s oldest golf event returns to Emirates Golf Club from Jan. 22-25, with the trophy tour forming part of a wider drive to promote the sport at grassroots level and engage young people throughout the UAE.

The initiative began on Monday at The English College, where Hojgaard, a DP World Tour professional, met students for a Q&A session and trophy presentation. Pupils also took part in introductory golf activities delivered by the Emirates Golf Federation, designed to give them a fun and accessible first experience of the game.

The school visits are being delivered in partnership with The R&A and the Emirates Golf Federation through The R&A’s “Unleash Your Drive in Schools” program. The initiative introduces golf in an inclusive, non-intimidating way while highlighting its physical and mental health benefits.

Following the opening visit, the trophy tour continued to Dubai Heights Academy on Tuesday and Horizon English School on Wednesday, with a final stop scheduled at Bloom World Academy on Thursday.

Simon Corkill, executive tournament director of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, said the program reflects the event’s long-term vision beyond elite competition.

“As the longest-running golf event in the Middle East, the Hero Dubai Desert Classic is proud to work with The R&A and the Emirates Golf Federation to inspire the next generation of golfers,” he said. “The trophy tour and school taster sessions demonstrate our commitment to developing future talent and ensuring golf is seen as an inclusive, enjoyable and healthy sport for young people.”

The Dubai Desert Classic is one of the flagship events on the global golf calendar and plays a central role in the sport’s growth in the region.