Qiddiya Investment Company and Mercedes to launch experience center dedicated to German automotive brand

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QIC, Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team have partnered to open an experience center dedicated to the iconic automotive brand in Qiddiya City. (Supplied)
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QIC, Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team have partnered to open an experience center dedicated to the iconic automotive brand in Qiddiya City. (Supplied)
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QIC, Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team have partnered to open an experience center dedicated to the iconic automotive brand in Qiddiya City. (Supplied)
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Updated 20 February 2025
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Qiddiya Investment Company and Mercedes to launch experience center dedicated to German automotive brand

  • Partners announce a game-changing long-term collaboration to create the Mercedes-AMG World of Performance in Qiddiya City
  • Set to excite performance car and motorsports fans across the globe, the state-of-the-art venue will deliver an unrivalled selection of immersive experiences

AFFALTERBACH/QIDDIYA CITY: Qiddiya Investment Company, Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team have announced a game-changing partnership to open a world-class experience center dedicated to the iconic German automotive brand in Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City.

Spanning approximately 45,000 sqm, Mercedes-AMG World of Performance will be among the largest attractions of its kind in the region. Featuring numerous highly immersive attractions and exhibits focused on Mercedes-AMG and its eight-time World Constructors’ Champion F1 Team, it is set to welcome visitors within this decade. Across nine floors of adrenaline-fueled experiences, visitors will be able to dive into the excitement and thrill of the performance car brand like never before.

The news, unveiled by the involved parties today, is set to excite racing enthusiasts and Mercedes-AMG fans across the world, elevating Qiddiya City’s position as one of the world’s leading motorsports destinations.

The ambitious project is supported by Juffali Automotive Company (JACO), distributor for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in Saudi Arabia, which will also contribute to bringing the project to life.

“To partner with one of the world’s most iconic brands, including one of the most successful Formula 1 teams in history, on a project that will bring joy to racing fans across the world is hugely exciting. This unique performance and motorsports center will offer immersive experiences like nowhere else in the world, positioning Qiddiya City as the home of Saudi motorsport and a bucket list sporting destination where play comes to life,” said Abdullah Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company.

Expected to attract millions of visitors a year, the World of Performance will sit alongside Qiddiya City’s highly anticipated Speed Park Track — a fast-flowing racetrack that is set to host an impressive roster of the world’s most prestigious racing events while incorporating some of racing’s most distinctive track design features.

Marking the debut of the first-ever Mercedes-AMG World of Performance, the experience center will immerse visitors in the brand’s rich heritage, celebrate its racing pedigree, and showcase its engineering excellence alongside the performance car brand’s latest innovations.

Among the center’s marquee attractions will be a cutting-edge dark ride, taking guests on a high-speed journey through the evolution of performance, featuring some of the most legendary Mercedes-Benz race cars of all times.

Adrenaline seekers will be able to step into the shoes of a professional racing driver in pole position on the grid, experiencing intense G-force as they are catapulted toward the first corner of a Grand Prix. Race enthusiasts can also dive into the drama of a Formula One race, witnessing what happens behind the scenes with an up-close view of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.

Visitors will also enjoy the unique advantage of the experience center’s prime location — right on the start-finish straight of Speed Park Track, with direct access to the future F1 venue. Real-world track experiences will allow visitors to hone their driving skills under the guidance of expert instructors on this exciting new circuit. They will get to push the latest Mercedes-AMG models to their limits, including tackling the iconic “Blade” at Turn One — a heart-stopping elevated section of circuit that dramatically rises more than 20 stories above the ground.

“We are incredibly excited to announce this major new collaboration with Qiddiya Investment Company, formalising a relationship that has been years in the making, and supported by our trusted partners in KSA, Juffali Automotive. Formula One is a unique sport, and we have been working with world leading experts for several years to ensure that this venue gets fans closer to our team, and the sport as a whole, than ever before. Qiddiya City is a cornerstone of the ambitious Vision 2030 plans, and it’s set to become a motorsport destination like no other. We are proud to play our part in this and look forward to welcoming our local and international fans in the years ahead,” said Toto Wolff, Co-Owner, CEO & Team Principal of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.

“The Mercedes-AMG World of Performance marks a bold new chapter for AMG, elevating our passion for performance, innovation, and racing to new heights. This destination will celebrate our AMG’s rich racing heritage as well as the thrill and adrenaline that defines our brand. Guests will get to experience this up close, whether through immersive attractions in the experience center or exclusive driving experiences on Speed Park Track, said Michael Schiebe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG GmbH.

“We are thrilled to be part of Qiddiya’s legacy in a setting that reflects our shared values of history, luxury and pioneering innovative experiences. Bringing the first world-leading motorsport experience center with Mercedes-AMG, not only showcases our commitment to serving our customers and advancing motorsport in the Kingdom but also aims to provide unparalleled experiences for motorsport enthusiasts. This aligns perfectly with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, as we strive to enhance the nation’s entertainment offerings through the growth of the automotive and the motorsport industry,” said Khaled Juffali, Chairman of Juffali Group.

The center will feature more than 60 state-of-the art simulators alongside a Motion 4D Simulator Theatre, while younger fans will be able to enjoy interactive learning experiences including designing their dream race car and practicing teamwork in a pit garage.

The experience center will also boast a roof-top VIP lounge overlooking the Speed Park Track, offering fine dining and some of the best panoramic views across Qiddiya City and the iconic Tuwaiq Mountains.

The strategic partnership between Qiddiya Investment Company and Mercedes-AMG is a significant step in Qiddiya City’s progress, positioning it at the forefront of motorsports experiences globally. The city’s unparalleled motorsports offering, including the Speed Park Track and a range of other attractions that are set to be unveiled over the next 12 months, will be a central driving force behind its development into a global destination for entertainment, sports and culture based on the power of play.


‘Winning mindset’: Yazeed Al-Rajhi ready to defend title at Dakar 2026

Updated 02 January 2026
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‘Winning mindset’: Yazeed Al-Rajhi ready to defend title at Dakar 2026

  • Race runs from Jan. 3-17, will start and conclude in Yanbu

YANBU: Saudi rally star Yazeed Al-Rajhi is gearing up to defend his Dakar Rally title as the 2026 edition of the race kicks off in Yanbu on Jan. 3.

Last year’s victory confirmed Al-Rajhi as the first Saudi driver to win the overall car category (Ultimate), the highest class in what is considered the world’s toughest rally.

Al-Rajhi said: “We are approaching Dakar 2026 with great determination and an even greater sense of responsibility after our achievement in 2025. Winning the title was a historic moment, but the real challenge now is defending it. The car is fully ready, the team is working as one, and our objective from the start is clear: to fight for victory and secure a strong opening to the W2RC season.”

He highlighted the complete readiness of co-driver Timo Gottschalk as the team looks to repeat last year’s success in their Overdrive Toyota Hilux.

Gottschalk said: “The preparation for this season has been intense and extremely precise. We focused on every aspect Dakar demands in terms of concentration and discipline. Our synergy is at its best, and we are ready to manage the rally stage by stage, intending to fight for victory from day one.”

The Dakar Rally 2026, set to run from Jan. 3-17, will cover 7,994 km, with 4,840 km of timed stages across Saudi Arabia’s diverse landscapes. It will consist of 13 competitive stages, in addition to a prologue stage, with a rest day in the capital city. The rally will start and conclude in Yanbu, featuring seven loop stages and two marathon stages, which significantly increase the level of difficulty and place greater physical and technical demands on crews and teams.

Al-Rajhi has also expressed his desire to compete for the title of the World Rally-Raid Championship W2RC. Since the championship’s launch in 2022, he has finished runner-up twice and third overall once, highlighting his consistency at the highest level. The Saudi star said that his clear objective this season is to claim the W2RC title, with Dakar serving as the opening round of the championship.

Al-Rajhi acknowledged that competition this year will be extremely intense, but added that the goal has been clear from the outset: to defend the Dakar title and move forward steadily toward winning the World Rally-Raid Championship.

“Early preparation and attention to the smallest technical and physical details give us strong confidence heading into the rally,” he added. “We know the competition will be tough, but we enter Dakar with a winning mindset, aiming to deliver a complete season that reflects the name of Saudi Arabia and matches our global ambitions.”

Al-Rajhi extended his sincere gratitude and appreciation to Jameel Motorsport, his official partner, for their unwavering support. He credited their backing as one of the key pillars behind his continued success and achievements in the Kingdom.