History of Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Timeline
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, a Formula One motor racing event, debuted in 2021 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It became the fifth full-night race on the Formula One calendar, joining the ranks of the Singapore, Bahrain, Sakhir, and Qatar Grands Prix.
August 2019: Plans for a Permanent Motorsports Complex in Qiddiya Announced
In August 2019, plans for a permanent motorsports complex in Qiddiya near Riyadh were announced. The complex was conceived by Test and Training International, a motorsports consultancy headed by former Formula One driver Alexander Wurz, with the aim of creating a world-class circuit capable of hosting all FIA categories up to Formula One.
January 2020: Plans for Qiddiya Track Officially Confirmed
Plans for the Qiddiya track were officially confirmed in January 2020. During an event, track designer Wurz appeared alongside current and former Formula One drivers, who got the chance to drive on the layout in a racing simulator. The track was designed to meet FIA and FIM Grade 1 standards.
October 2020: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Appears on Provisional 2021 Formula One Calendar
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix made its first appearance on the initial draft of the 2021 Formula One provisional calendar, which was presented to teams at a Formula One Commission meeting in October 2020.
November 2020: Jeddah Announced as Host City for Inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
In November 2020, Jeddah was announced as the host city for the first Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The race was set to be held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, located along the Red Sea shore.
February 2021: Human Rights Organizations Call for Boycott of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
In February 2021, 45 human rights organizations urged Lewis Hamilton to boycott the Grand Prix, citing factors such as Saudi Arabia's involvement in the Yemeni Civil War and the murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
2021: Lewis Hamilton Wears Rainbow Helmet in Support of LGBT Community
During the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton wore a rainbow-colored helmet to demonstrate his support for the LGBT community. He also wore this helmet in the races before and after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
2021: Inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
The first ever Saudi Arabian Grand Prix took place in 2021 in Jeddah. It was the fifth full-night race on the Formula One calendar.
October 2022: Interest Expressed in Hosting Races at Both Jeddah and Qiddiya
In October 2022, Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud, Saudi Arabia's minister of sport, expressed interest in holding annual Formula One races at both Jeddah and Qiddiya, or alternating the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix between the two venues once the Qiddiya track is operational.
2022: Missile Attack on Aramco Oil Depot During Practice Session
Yemen's Houthi rebels launched a missile attack on an Aramco oil depot, approximately 16 kilometers from the circuit, during the first practice session of the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The incident raised concerns about the safety of the event.
January 2023: Expectation of Jeddah Hosting Grand Prix Until 2027
In January 2023, race organizers expected the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to be held in Jeddah until 2027 while construction on the Qiddiya track continued. There was a possibility that the Jeddah circuit might still host a separate Saudi Arabian Formula One race alongside Qiddiya after its completion.
