New Saudi Arabia circuit in Qiddiya could host F1 race from 2023

The development is situated about 30 miles from Riyadh, which hosts a Formula E round, and is part of a major new entertainment and commercial complex that is being built against the backdrop of a mountain range.

The layout has been designed by former F1 driver Alex Wurz up to the FIA Grade 1 standards required for F1, and the circuit aims to host a grand prix if Saudi Arabia is successful in its ongoing talks with F1 bosses.

Mike Reininger, CEO of the Qiddiya Investment Company that is behind the project, told Autosport that the aim is to attract all top-tier motorsport categories.

"We're building so that we're able to host MotoGP events, WEC, regional and national championship events, and all the all the way up through F1," he said. "We're building the facilities so that we can ultimately host the biggest and the best motorsports events, really in all categories.

"And Grade 1 is synonymous with F1, so we're hopeful that that comes to pass for us."

Asked what timeframe would be possible for it to host its first F1 race, he said: "Our project in Qiddiya is on pace for a very large first phase offering, and that'll be ready at the beginning of 2023."

It is understood that F1 CEO Chase Carey and commercial chief Sean Bratches visited Saudi Arabia last year for talks with the royal family over hosting an F1 race there in the near future.

The Qiddiya track is being built against the backdrop of the mountains and it twists and turns around the entertainment park.

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The location was the scene of the finish of this year's Dakar Rally.

Reininger said: "It has the backdrop of this 200-metre sheer cliff on one side, and then the circuit really has two zones.

"One zone is inside a stadium, where you'll be able to see as much as six kilometres [3.7 miles] of the race as a spectator in the stadium. And then it has another portion of the circuit, which is what we call the city portion.

"The circuit will leave the stadium and become integrated with the rest of this entertainment capital that we're building. So it will buzz by hotels and shops and restaurants, and there will be rollercoasters and rides that weave their way around the circuit.

"It will be the best of a stadium course and the best of the city course all looped into one."

Track designer Wurz was joined at an event at Qiddiya on Friday by a host of F1 stars - with Damon Hill, David Coulthard, Nico Hulkenberg and Romain Grosjean all getting a chance to try his layout for the first time.

Speaking about the project, Wurz said: "It's a privilege of a lifetime to design the motion and mobility zone in Qiddiya, including the Speed Park track.

"The visionary Qiddiya project offers us amazing opportunities to design a track, a true racing arena for drivers, spectators, as well as the viewers at home.

"The design offers amazing elevation changes, making use of the stunning natural landscape.

"Equally the design is made to challenge drivers and engineers alike.

"And from our simulation runs, I can assure you it is absolutely thrilling as an on- and off-track experience.

"Qiddiya has all it takes to become the motorsport capital of the world."

The Qiddiya development includes plans for the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in the world, which is set to hit speeds of 155mph.