Saudi Arabia’s Formula 1 (F1) ambitions are pressing ahead at full speed – even as war in the region has already forced the cancellation of the 2026 Jeddah race.
‘motorsport.nextgen-auto.com’ stated that with the current street circuit sidelined attention has shifted back to the Kingdom’s long-term project at Qiddiya where the organizers have issued a fresh update on construction progress.
London (UK)-based Formula One (F1) is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel, single-seater formula racing cars run by the Formula One Group and sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one of the world’s premier forms of motorsport since its inaugural running in 1950 and is often considered to be the pinnacle of motorsport.
The Formula One Group is a group of companies responsible for the promotion of the FIA’s Formula One World Championship and the exercising of the sport’s commercial rights.
Paris (France)-based the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is an international organization with two primary functions surrounding use of the automobile. Its Mobility Division advocates the interests of the motoring organizations, the automotive industry and the motor car users in the fields of road safety and traffic circulation. The Sport Division is a governing body for many international motorsport championships and disciplines including Formula One.
The Qiddiya City is an under-construction entertainment and tourism mega project and planned community in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia.
‘motorsport.nextgen-auto.com’ further stated that according to official figures “construction progress on the overall project is at 39 percent” for the futuristic Speed Park circuit.
The Qiddiya Speed Park Track is a planned motor racing circuit currently under construction in Qiddiya City, Saudi Arabia. The circuit is likely to host the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from 2028 onwards replacing the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
The 50,000-capacity Jeddah Corniche Circuit is a motor racing street circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It currently hosts the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix since 2021 and the Formula E Jeddah ePrix since 2025.
At the heart of the design is ‘The Blade’ – a dramatic 70-meter-high structure roughly the height of a 20-story building which will form a towering, elevated corner.
Designed by the former Formula 1 driver Alex Wurz (Austrian racing driver) alongside the renowned Circuit Architect Hermann Tilke (German engineer, racing driver and F1 circuit designer) ‘The Blade’ is intended to be both a visual landmark and a functional feature allowing the spectators to view more of the track from a single vantage point.
The new construction images show rapid progress on the steep, ramp-like section underlining the scale and ambition of the project.
The organizers said, “The Qiddiya City’s construction is progressing at a rapid rate getting the giga-project closer to completion by the day. Keep tabs on our developments and progress and watch us turn a dream into reality.”
The Qiddiya circuit is intended to replace the Jeddah street race – which has hosted the Formula 1 since 2021 – once its current contract expires in 2027.
If timelines are met the new venue could debut on the calendar in 2028 offering one of the most radical circuit concepts in the sport’s history.
‘The Blade’
A ‘LinkedIn Post By Khaled AlOjyan, Senior Architect, stated, “Qiddiya’s Speed Park Track is steadily taking shape and one of its most iconic features, ‘The Blade’, is now becoming more visible on site. Rising 70 meters high the structure is designed to be the world’s first elevated racetrack corner making it one of the most ambitious elements in global motorsport design.” “Part of the 21-corner Speed Park Track ‘The Blade’ is more than a dramatic visual landmark. It is a functional engineering feature designed to enhance the racing experience and allow the spectators to enjoy wider views of the action.”
The ‘LinkedIn Post By Khaled AlOjyan, Senior Architect, further stated, “Once complete, the track will feature open and street configurations, 80 garages and speeds exceeding 325 km/h reinforcing Qiddiya’s vision to become a future home for world-class motorsport, including Formula 1.”
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