JEDDAH: As McLaren’s Oscar Piastri lifted the winner’s trophy on Sunday night, the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix marked a milestone that goes far beyond the checkered flag.
With its fifth edition concluded, Jeddah is now not just another Grand Prix for racing fans; it is the world’s fastest and second-longest street circuit in Formula 1 history.
In just five years, the Kingdom has turned its coastal circuit into one of the most talked-about stops on the Formula 1 calendar.
This anniversary is not just a celebration of fast cars and thrilling races, but also a testament to the Kingdom’s pursuit of global sports recognition.
As the roar of engines faded into silence and the grandstands emptied, the importance of this race in the Kingdom’s sporting history is just beginning to sink in.
Few know the backstory and how a series of off-track moves, quiet negotiations, and long-term ambitions brought the sport onto Saudi Arabia’s soil.
Before the first engine revved up in 2021, the wheels had already been set in motion.
Secret push behind the Grand Prix
Long before the first roar of Formula 1 cars echoed along Jeddah’s Red Sea coast, the idea of bringing the world’s fastest sport to Saudi Arabia was quietly gaining traction in various boardrooms in Riyadh.
It was not just about motorsport, it was a calculated move tied to Vision 2030: to diversify the Kingdom’s economy, elevate its global image, and position Saudi Arabia as a serious player in international sports.
The deal was not public at first. Whispers began to be heard in early 2018, shortly after Saudi Arabia secured rights to host the all-electric Formula E in Diriyah.
That event was seen as a trial, a soft launch into global motorsport. Behind the scenes, the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and the Ministry of Sport began mapping a larger ambition: securing Formula 1.
The official announcement came in November 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, a bold move that stunned even some insiders in the racing world.
Critics questioned the timing, but for the Kingdom, this was the perfect moment.
Strategic move to choose Jeddah
The decision to host the race in Jeddah — and not the capital — raised eyebrows. But the logic was simple. Jeddah, a historical port, was undergoing a visual transformation.
Placing the circuit along the Corniche, with the glinting Red Sea as a backdrop, created a visual spectacle few other Formula 1 circuits could match.
But there was more at play. Jeddah is Saudi Arabia’s beating commercial heart, a cosmopolitan city and symbol of the new Saudi Arabia identity.
The Kingdom was not just launching a race, it was rebranding itself to the world, and Jeddah became the face of that campaign.
And then came the design: the fastest street circuit in Formula 1 history.
Designed by Carsten Tilke, son of renowned circuit designer Hermann Tilke, Jeddah featured 27 turns and blisteringly high-speed straights, challenging drivers in ways no other urban race ever had.
5 years of speed, stats, surprises, standout moments
Since its debut in December 2021, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has carved out its own identity.
Fastest street race: It is one of the quickest on the calendar, with cars averaging over 250 kph. In 2021, Lewis Hamilton clocked the fastest average qualifying lap on the circuit.
Second-longest: At 6,174 km, it is one of the longest circuits in the world.
Most turns at 27: Most Grand Prix tracks have 14 to 20, but Jeddah has 27 corners, with sweeping bends and blind apexes, making it technically demanding.
Built in under eight months: It was designed and constructed in less than a year, an incredible feat for a Grade 1 FIA-approved circuit. Over 30,000 tons of asphalt, 600,000 work hours, and thousands of workers were involved.
Historic debuts: The 2021 race was the first Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia, marking the Kingdom as the 34th country to host a Formula 1 contest.
Dramatic finishes: From the Max Verstappen-Hamilton showdown in 2021 to chaotic safety-car dramas and nail-biting late-race restarts, Jeddah’s circuit never delivered a dull contest.
Global spotlight: Over 140,000 fans attended the race weekend in 2023, with millions more watching worldwide.
But perhaps the most surprising statistic is that it has become one of the top-five most-watched races globally, according to F1 media tracking.
Looking ahead, the futuristic Qiddiya circuit is on the horizon. The new entertainment and tourism city is set to become home to one of the most advanced motorsport facilities in the region.
It is a project promising to blend adrenaline, innovation, and entertainment in a way the sport has never seen before.
