Saudi Arabia next to host a GP ?

F1 set for £50m-a-year Saudi Arabia deal – report

https://www.planetf1.com/news/formula-1-set-for-50m-a-year-saudi-arabia-deal-report/

Saudi Arabia is poised to be one of the next destinations on the calendar with Formula 1 reportedly close to agreeing a deal worth £50million a year.
According to the Daily Mail, amongst other newspaper reports, Saudi Arabia could join the schedule as early as 2021 with a street race in Jeddah acting as a stop-gap until a purpose-built circuit is ready for the following year.
The report also states that Formula 1 has ‘struck a global sponsorship deal’ with Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco, the world’s richest company valued at $2 trillion, meaning the race would likely be known as the ‘Aramco Saudi Arabian Grand Prix’.

The race is set to be held in the early stages of the season in order to avoid the scorching hot temperatures between May and September.
Formula 1 is no stranger to the Middle East having held races in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, and promoters of the former race would welcome more growth to the area with the addition of a Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

A spokesman for the Bahrain International Circuit said: “Since our first race in 2004, our goal has been to grow the fanbase for motorsport in the region. We would, therefore, welcome initiatives which can support that growth and believe that a future race in Saudi Arabia would be complementary.”

It is not just Saudi Arabia that is reportedly set to join the calendar next year as the long sought-after Miami Grand Prix is also said to be close to completion.
The report says that Formula 1 bosses are ‘increasingly confident’ of overcoming the local opposition to the race in order for a second US race to be held in 2021.

It is believed that none of the current races are under threat by the potential new arrivals, meaning a 24-race calendar could be in store from next season.

 

Jeddah ? please Noooooooo,what a XXXXhole!

 

They could hold it during the hajj. Guaranteed to have a huge crowd.

 

Please, just no. Put another race in the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Europe... But stop putting races in places with zero tradition in motorsports.

 

OK, but which other location/country is going to put £50M on the table ?

It's obvious that the Saudis do it only to soften their image, but who cares; F1 needs the money.

 

Far better than Riyadh. But it might be something connected to the new city that MBS is wanting to build since that is supposed to be an open city with outside international investments, kind of a city of tomorrow. I can see this as something that MBS would see as part of his desired transformation of the country - no question they have the money to pay Liberty Media the fee.

One item that Saudi Arabia would have to solve for the race is the tourist visa process. Maybe something where a hotel reservation equals an invite letter or visa upon arrival.

 

Why not put the track on Nafud--I'm sure you can find land there inexpensively.

 

What a waste if true , talk about whoring out F1 .

 

On a differing perspective,... at least the Saudi's won't be pushing for F1 to be green. Screaming V10's for me please!!

 

I just had a nightmare: Saudi grid girls in local "outfit" never thought I would say the ban was a good idea but there yup!

 

If you don't want to see FP1/2 can always go to 'downtown' Jeddah,as a foreigner they will guarantee you a free front row place on Friday at Chop Square

 

The new Dubai. Fly to Jeddah and only there for a quick Visa. This can be done. Ive been weeks in Riyadh in the past. Had no major issues to speak of. This is an interesting concept for a race. Yes other places are more F1 oriented but we shall see.

 

Facepalm.

 

An event held today has more info, Damon Hill and Romaine Grosjean were on hand, designed by Alex Wurz. https://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/51137520

 

I was based in Jeddah in 2007/8,so when RBR came to town in March 2008 I was looking forward to watch and hear the cars being demonstrated by David C.As there is very very little else to do there...

They basically fenced off a main road in the centre and we were hanging around right by the temporary pit area.

When DC came out it was pretty cool and he roared off, came back, and did a couple of donuts then parked it.

Turns out some morons climbed over the fencing and were walking around while DC was giving it full beans.So rest of demo was cancelled.

So had a few cans of RB and went back 'home' to the compound...home made beer and 'wine'

I will not be going back to the Kingdom,thank God!

 

Public beheadings between Q1, Q2, and Q3?

 

That might one way to bring new drivers into F1..............

 

Ferrari 308 GTB— “So had a few cans of RB and went back 'home' to the compound...home made beer and 'wine'”

I’m certain this was an interesting vintage

 

This is going to save F1. I mean, we've all been begging for a race there for decades.

 

How about Iran?

Surely even Liberty wouldn't try that

 

Why not ? F1 went to Russia and China, and now Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.
From a purely business angle, no country should be dismissed as a potential place for a GP.
Also, sport is a very good ambassador in countries the West has trouble with.
I remember that a table tennis tournament marked the start of the US-China dialogue many years ago under Nixon.

 

Well for starters they want to 'obliterate' Israel.I mean cmon.They are basically one step from a full blown war with the rest of the civilized world.

Can just see the Ayatollah or whoever doing a grid walk with Chase hahaha

 

Well, maybe having sporting events there would diffuse all that tension.
For once, the media would have to report about something positive, instead of stiring up hysteria like the do all the time.
You can only influence a country and change its mentality if you exchange with it, that's my opinion.

 

And that is the problem with F1 today.

It doesn"t have the leverage any more and you can smell its desperation in the air.

ARMCO SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX

 

Give us an African Gran Prix!