Formula 1 is making a significant return to Jeddah this weekend for the fifth Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. However, the excitement is not solely focused on the fastest street circuit in the world, as plans for a new futuristic track outside Riyadh, called Qiddiya Speed Park, are underway with a budget of $480 million (£360 million) and a scheduled completion date in 2027. Fans have even drawn comparisons between the new track’s renderings and the iconic Rainbow Road from the video game Mario Kart, especially noting its 70-meter incline at turn one, known as “The Blade.”

As the current race takes place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which is known for being the quickest street track globally, Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in the world of Formula 1 appear boundless. In a recent press call, Prince Khalid bin Sultan al-Faisal, chair of the Saudi Motorsport Company, elaborated on the Qiddiya project, located about 30 miles from Riyadh. He expressed aspirations for Saudi Arabia to host the first race of the season, despite reports indicating that Australia is likely to retain that honor for 2026.

Moreover, Prince Khalid hinted at the possibility of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquiring an F1 team in the future. He stated, “There is a space available. There are only 11 out of 12 [possible teams], and also potentially one or two teams that might be for sale in the future.” This demonstrates the kingdom’s determination to solidify its presence in the Formula 1 landscape.

Saudi Arabia’s investment in various sports, particularly football, boxing, and golf, has shown the country’s intent to achieve its goals despite ongoing criticisms regarding its human rights record. Prominent figures in motorsport, including Lewis Hamilton, have expressed discomfort about racing in Saudi Arabia, especially given the country’s past restrictions, such as the ban on women driving that was only lifted in 2018.

At the same time, Sebastian Vettel recently participated in an event in Jeddah to promote his Race4Women initiative, which featured 20 young women competing at a local karting track. This aligns with Saudi Arabia’s efforts to develop grassroots karting, which has come a long way from nearly nonexistent levels a decade ago. The all-women racing series, F1 Academy, is also present in Jeddah for its 2025 calendar.

The long-standing partnership between Saudi Arabia and F1’s owners, Liberty Media, is solidified by a 10-year sponsorship agreement with Aramco worth approximately $450 million. This deal enables Aramco to sponsor billboards and barriers throughout the Formula 1 season and also gives it the title sponsorship for the Aston Martin F1 team.

Grand Prix Drivers’ Association chair Alex Wurz is involved in designing the new 21-turn Qiddiya track. He previously provided drivers with a sneak preview of the circuit on his laptop before last year’s Jeddah race. The holographic designs for Qiddiya have generated considerable excitement, but the prospect of hosting two races annually in Saudi Arabia remains uncertain.

Prince Khalid expressed skepticism about the feasibility of holding two races, stating that the current congested calendar, which accommodates 24 races, complicates such plans. While he acknowledged the potential for both Jeddah and Riyadh to serve different markets within Saudi Arabia, he noted that discussions about hosting two races have not yet occurred.

With countries like South Africa, Thailand, Rwanda, Argentina, and South Korea showing interest in hosting F1 races, some argue that adding another Saudi race should not be a priority. Currently, F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali does not appear to be considering this option seriously. Nevertheless, the Qiddiya track is set to make waves when it eventually hosts its first race, likely in 2029 when accompanying projects, such as a high-tech theme park, are completed.

On the track in Jeddah, McLaren is dominating with three wins out of four this season. Their Australian driver, Oscar Piastri, is performing exceptionally well, trailing his teammate Lando Norris by just three points in the championship standings. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is in third place, and Lewis Hamilton is currently seventh, 52 points behind Norris but remains hopeful for improved results with an upgraded Ferrari car.