Between organizing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and promoting his new project, Martin Whitaker is a man in a hurry.
The boss of Saudi Motorsports barely has time to leave his office to kick off the weekend in Jeddah, before shutting himself in to receive us... Finally, by video conference, the timing being too tight for a meeting.
Behind him, the first single-seaters are already roaring along the endless straights of Jeddah.
For one of the last times?
Landing in 2021 on the Formula 1 calendar, the Saudi Arabian GP could soon change location for a completely new crazy circuit: the Qiddiya Speed Park.
An ambition driven by the English businessman who agreed to present his concept to us in more detail.
A bend 70 m high
Since 2019, Saudi Arabia, with its Vision 2030 plan, has been working on the creation of a brand new city in the middle of the desert 45 km southwest of the capital Riyadh.
“Qiddiya in its entirety wants to become a global sports city.
We will have two golf courses, a multi-sports venue, and therefore a new automobile circuit.
This will be unheard of.
The circuit is very (very) spectacular,” warns Martin Whitaker, still very satisfied with the success of his announcements.
On the program, 21 turns drawn between the city and the Tuwaiq mountains.
“The circuit designed for F1 is a mix between a city Grand Prix and an open-air track.
It was also designed to be able to accommodate the GP bike on a slightly different route to meet standards,” explains Martin Whitaker.
Three DRS zones will be able to take F1 drivers to more than 325 km/h.
استعدوا لأول مضمار سرعة يعانق السماء. ًا عن الأرض في #مدينة_القدية 🏎️🏁☁️#اللعب_يحيينا pic.twitter.com/1U2GOrfP6U
— Qiddiya |
القدية (@qiddiya) March 5, 2024
Compared to the 900 m of the longest straight in Jeddah on which the drivers will tumble this weekend, there is nothing really to impress us.
But what is so special about it?
To see this, go to the plans, at the first turn (“The Blade”, the blade in French) at a height of 70 m, the equivalent of a twenty-story building.
In total, the route has a difference in altitude of more than 100 m, more than the already very hilly Spa circuit (Belgium), and should exceed, according to projections, the 7 km of the Belgian meeting.
“It’s not a question of money”
A Mario Kart-style race designed by former F1 driver Alexander Wurz and architect Hermann Tilke, the latter having already designed the current Jeddah circuit.
Another extra out of the ordinary, the Qiddiya Speed Park will be located on the edge of the “Falcon”, an amusement park – also under construction – with the highest roller coasters in the world according to forecasts.
“The new circuit proposed by Qiddiya appears to be one of the most impressive motorsport facilities in the world,” reacted Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) on social networks, in a post on the verge of commercial advertising.
According to the video, spectators will be able to follow Formula 1 from a carousel.
A disproportionate project which inevitably arouses some criticism, if only for the budget it represents.
On this subject, Saudi Motorsports does not provide us with any figures.
“It's not about money, it's just about how each country uses its resources.
The Qiddiyah circuit will be included in the program alongside Silverstone, for example, which has been there since 1950, and this legendary circuit still attracts so many people.
Each route has its characteristics,” answers Martin Whitaker.
From an environmental point of view, the circuit sells as 80% incorporated in the new city.
A first race before 2031?
But will the Qiddiya Speed Park see the light of day soon?
To this question too, the boss of Saudi Motorsports jumps in: “The entire project is still under construction.
It's difficult to give a date, but the project is already very advanced.
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We were not able to go on site to see the state of the work, the site still being under construction and inaccessible, but some media mention a date for putting the F1 on the calendar for 2027 or even 2031, the end date of the contract between Jeddah and Formula 1.
The Qiddiya circuit was designed by former F1 driver Alexander Wurz and architect Hermann Tilke.
“We have a contract with Formula 1 for 10 years since 2021. But we can move from Jeddah to Qiddiyah during these 10 years.
We are already working on the approval of the circuit with the FIA.
We will be ready as soon as the circuit is finished to go racing there,” warns Martin Whitaker.
The possibility of Saudi Arabia hosting two races on the calendar is currently completely ruled out.
Ultimately, it is Jeddah and its corniche on the edge of the Red Sea which should disappear from the program.