Saudi Arabia wants to take Formula 1 to amazing new heights.
The Middle Eastern country has published designs for a new Formula 1 track being built in the city of Qiddiya. Expected to host the country’s Grand Prix before the end of the decade, the spectacular circuit will feature 21 corners and more than 20 floors in the air.
This weekend’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is on the Formula 1 calendar from 2021. Since then it has been held on the street circuit in Jeddah, located along the Red Sea coast. According to ESPN, the new track, which is being built near the capital Riyadh, will now host a grand prix once it is completed, which could take place as early as 2027. If the competition wants to add another landmark to the calendar, the president of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation said he would not be against holding the race at both locations.
The future of racing is coming to #Qiddiya_City 🏎️🏁☁️#PlayLife pic.twitter.com/6SHxV3uLba
Despite many races being hosted by Saudi Arabia, the Qiddiya Circuit promises to be one of the most ridiculous circuits in the history of Formula 1. Renderings released by the country’s news agency show a futuristic race track that resembles a cartoonish Mario Kart track. What should be. You can imagine it, that’s the thing. he looks
Designed by former Formula One driver Alex Wurz and veteran designer Hermann Tilke, it will feature 21 turns, more than any track other than the Jeddah-Singapore Circuit, and more than 350 feet of elevation change. The standout feature is certainly the flying section leading up to the first turn – or “The Blade” as it is called – which reaches more than 20 storeys.
The new track is more than just a race track. Instead, it will be the centerpiece of a fancy, neon-lit entertainment complex. According to Motorsports Network, Qiddiya will also be home to a Six Flags theme park that will run parallel to the track and include the world’s longest race track, Falcon Flight. There are also plans to build a huge concert venue beneath the elevated first turn of the track.
