Saudi Arabia’s grand F1 shift to Qiddiya stalls, as mega-project delays mean Jeddah could host races longer than expected.
Saudi Arabia’s Formula 1 Grand Prix might stay in Jeddah longer than originally expected, as the shift to the ambitious Qiddiya project is facing delays—not because of the racetrack itself, but due to the massive scope of the entire development.
Originally planned for 2027, the move to Qiddiya may now happen in 2028 or even 2029. The racetrack is on track for completion, but the surrounding mega-project is taking longer than anticipated.
“The circuit will be ready by 2027, but the timeline for the entire Qiddiya project will determine when we can actually host the race there,” said Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Motorsport Company. “These kinds of huge developments often face delays.”
He also emphasized there’s no rush to leave Jeddah. “If everything runs smoothly and we’re comfortable with how things are in Jeddah—and Formula 1 is too—then 2027 might not be the final year. We’re now thinking 2028, maybe even 2029. But by next year, we should have a clearer idea.”
In the meantime, there’s no risk to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Jeddah will remain a solid backup option, and Prince Khalid hasn’t ruled out a future where it continues to host races, even after Qiddiya is ready.
“It’s still too early to talk about rotating between Qiddiya and Jeddah, or hosting two races. For now, we’re focused on getting the most out of Jeddah while we prepare for the move,” he explained. “There’s been talk in the media about having two races in Saudi Arabia, but we haven’t seriously discussed it yet. With the current F1 calendar, it’s a stretch.”
Still, the idea of two Saudi races isn’t off the table—though if it does happen, the second venue might not be Jeddah.
“We’d love to host two races,” Prince Khalid said. “Jeddah and Riyadh are two completely different regions and markets. Saudi Arabia is a huge country, and there’s demand for it. But is it realistic with the packed calendar? We haven’t fully explored that yet.”
The plan, if it ever takes shape, would more likely involve Riyadh as a second host city. But for now, it remains a long-term vision.
“Let’s see how things go when we eventually bring F1 to Riyadh. Then we can evaluate whether two races make sense. Right now, it’s hard to say. Some argue that four races in the Middle East is already enough.”
“Personally, I’d love to see two Saudi races. The U.S. has three now with Las Vegas. Saudi Arabia is big enough. Could it happen? Maybe. But it’s far too early to tell.”
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