“We all want to host big motorsport events, and MotoGP is one of the most watched Saudi citizens.” Money, love and daydreams. A mix that Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Faisal Al Saud, President of the Saudi Arabian Motorsport and Motorcycle Association, he emphasized in an interview with MARCA. The idea is to bring MotoGP to Saudi Arabia as well. This year will be the first F1 Grand Prix, but the future looks most fascinating. We also see a MotoGP on the horizon. “We are building a car city in Qiddiya with more than ten race tracks for rallies, cross-country events, rallycross, motocross and so on. For the best competitions in the world. And of course we would like to organize the MotoGP. These are very exciting races. “
Saudi Arabia wants to expand further after Dakar and Formula E.. It’s not just an idea, it’s something much more specific. In Qiddiya, a circuit is being built as a central part of a leisure city on the outskirts of the capital Riyadh, that “is allowed to host the best races in the world. Formula 1, of course, but also MotoGP or the WEC. ”It won’t be finished before 2023, with Marquez standing right in the middle of the story and who knows whether Valentino Rossi will still be part of the great MotoGP caravan at this point in time. Saudi Arabia, with a population of over 27 million, continues to view sport as a transmedia project that broadens the horizon for everything.
With a length of over seven kilometers (7.8 in the concept layout), Qiddiya will be the longest course in the world, which even surpasses Spa, and that with a special element, as the drivers have an impressive range of cliffs as a backdrop. Marca had the opportunity to examine the track in a simulator. Andrew Mallery, President of Qiddiya’s Automobile and Racing Division, told the Spanish newspaper: “The first sketch of the circuit was drawn by Alex Wurz. The project is 7.8 kilometers long and has two zones: one that is inspired by the Nürburgring, more winding and another, which we call the City Loop, in Monegasque style. “
We now have Formula 1. For the first time in its history, Formula 1 will drive in Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah. Prince Khalid said, “The setting is magical. It’s going to be an urban race, but we want it to be the most fun. ”There are doubts about the spectacular nature of the track because:“ Usually these tests have their limits. Overtaking is generally not easy because of the track, but I can promise that Jeddah will be the fastest and most exciting street circuit ever built in terms of location, panorama and surroundings. It will be something special. “