Saudi Arabia may soon shift gears from sponsor to full team owner, eyeing F1 as its next bold business frontier.
Saudi Arabia may soon take a major step forward in its growing involvement in Formula 1 — by acquiring its own F1 team.
The idea was floated by Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, head of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation. He confirmed that the Kingdom is seriously considering entering the sport not just as a host or sponsor, but as a full-fledged team owner.
Saudi Arabia has steadily deepened its ties with Formula 1 in recent years. It hosted its first Grand Prix in 2021, and the state-owned oil giant Aramco is both a global F1 partner and title sponsor of the Aston Martin team.
Now, the conversation is shifting toward ownership. And at the heart of it all? Business.
“There’s room for a new team — we only have 11 out of 12 slots filled. One or two existing teams might also go up for sale,” said Prince Khalid. “It’s definitely possible.”
He made it clear that the motivation is financial — and strategic.
“If there’s growth, it becomes attractive. Buying a Formula 1 team could be very profitable, especially if the acquisition comes through one of the companies backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).”
“We’re seeing F1 expand into new markets, global revenues are rising, and our partnership with Aramco and Aston Martin has shown us the power of being involved at this level.”
While there’s no official announcement yet, speculation is growing.
“Everyone’s saying Saudi Arabia could make a move soon. If it makes sense — financially and strategically — why not? No one hates making money. But it’s complex. You need to know exactly which team to buy, who to partner with, and who will run the operation.”
He emphasized that entering F1 isn’t just about national pride — it’s about doing it right.
“It’s a tough decision. Choosing the right team, managing it well — that’s not easy. But we’re very interested. We already host a race. We sponsor teams. I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear an announcement soon. Personally, I’d love to see a Saudi team on the grid.”
“And if it happens, I hope it’s done properly, with long-term success in mind. It’s a big move — but why not?”
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Saudi Arabia Sets Sights on Owning Formula 1 Team Saudi Arabia Sets Sights on Owning Formula 1 Team