The Jeddah Corniche Circuit that will host the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix “will be used between races and beyond”, with both international and national racing activities intended to be part of the future for the track beyond its stint as Formula 1 venue.
While the Saudi Arabian GP is set to be on the F1 calendar for the long term, it will move to a new permanent circuit in Qiddiya most likely in 2024, although the date of the change has not been finalised.
Circuit CEO Martin Whitaker confirmed the plans to host regular events and lure other international motorsport categories to the venue, which combines with the desire to make it a thriving location outside of the F1 event.
“The municipality is obviously very keen that it becomes an attraction for Jeddah, as it hopefully will be,” Whitaker told The Race.
“So not only are we looking at doing other races, we’re looking at doing corporate events and things of that nature – trackdays, cycling and things of that nature.
“In a sense, it’s not a street circuit in a true sense of the word, so it will be as permanent as we want it to be.
“And that’s good for Jeddah because at the end of the day, that’s what they want. Saudi Arabia has a grand prix circuit in the city of Jeddah. And so why not use it?”
Whitaker indicated there are ongoing discussions about bringing other racing activities to the circuit, both international and national.
There’s also the intention to develop Jeddah as a trackday destination, with motorcycle racing – albeit not at the top level given the nature of the track – also under consideration.
“We are already talking about that, both cars and potentially bikes as well,” said Whitaker.
“So there’s quite a lot of interesting ideas going. But as I said, also corporate track days, things like that.
“There’s obviously there’s a lot of people in that part of the world who’ve got nice cars, and they want to use them.”
Construction of the 23-turn, 6.175km circuit is well-advanced ahead of the inaugural grand prix on December 5.
Whitaker explained that the aim is to create a “legacy” for the area that will continue beyond the move of the F1 race to Qiddiya.
This will include facilities to be enjoyed by the wider population, as well as additional motorsport facilities for karting and esports.
“It will develop a legacy for the city of Jeddah,” said Whitaker.
“There is a really fantastic corniche, which runs between the city and the Red Sea, so people can walk and cycle. And that is populated in the thousands every evening.
“The idea is that this will now be extension to that. All the restaurants that we’re putting up around the circuit in the spectator areas, those will remain in place after the race [has moved].
“We also building a kart circuit, a junior kart circuit, which will be in place with an esport hub. So the whole idea is to build something which isn’t just there for the weekend, it’s there for hopefully for years to come.”
