P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Saudi Arabia has been a staple on the Formula E calendar since 2018, but there’s a big change coming this year – as the race heads to Jeddah’s F1 circuit. Why has that happened, and what’s the future of this E-Prix?
Saudi Arabia is hosting Formula E for the seventh time this week, marking the first E-Prix weekend to take place outside of Riyadh at the Jeddah Corniche Formula 1 track. The change was necessitated by rapid development in the previous Diriyah track area, which was originally planned to be replaced in 2023 but was extended for two more seasons due to found space and legislative granting. Formula E’s Saudi promoter Carlo Boutagy expressed nostalgia for Riyadh’s Diriyah track but highlighted the significant investments and developments happening in areas like NEOM, the Red Sea project, and Qiddiya as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative. Despite the relocation, Jeddah was chosen as the new venue for its suitability and capacity, attracting a sold-out crowd and potentially playing host to the races until 2026 with a possible extension to 2027. Future plans include the potential of night races at the Speed Park track in Qiddiya, featuring innovative designs like the world’s first elevated racetrack corner, The Blade, and continuing unique light shows in Jeddah, all while navigating new challenges and enjoying smoother operations at the permanent Jeddah facility.
