Jeddah– Key regional and domestic media treated to an exclusive tour of the soon-to-be fastest and longest street circuit in the world ahead of F1’s debut in Saudi Arabia in December 2021
The Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) – Promoter of the 2021 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – was delighted to welcome a selection of the region’s key sports, news & lifestyle media to the site of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, as the newest venue on the F1 calendar nears completion ahead of the inaugural F1 race weekend in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia later this year.
With just 5 months until the greatest drivers in the world land in Jeddah for the first ever 2021 FORMULA 1 SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX, the lucky group of media were treated to an exclusive tour of the newest track in F1 – idyllically located on the banks of the stunning Red Sea – by HRH Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF).
Featuring no less than 27 corners, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit stretches to 6.175km in length, making it the longest street circuit in the sport. Moreover, with average speeds expected to reach at least 250km/h, the newest addition to the pinnacle of motorsport is due to establish itself as the fastest street circuit on the planet and in the top 5 fastest F1 circuits altogether.
During the tour, media were given exclusive access to the various sectors of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit that already mark it out as the most hotly anticipated new track on the F1 calendar, including the site of the futuristic 280m-long, four-story, cutting-edge Pit Building – due to be finalized by October – that will become one of the most unique and innovative structures of its kind, guaranteeing spectacular views of the racing action as well as of the breathtaking Jeddah waterfront.
Furthermore, the media were able to inspect the spectacular 12-degree bank at Turn 13 that is currently under construction, providing a tantalizing glimpse of the near-future when the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will take on this remarkable section of the track in their battle for F1 supremacy.
They also got to examine progress at the rapid, DRS-enabled, sweeping stretch that follows the exit from T23, where cars are expected to hit speeds of 322km/h as they head into the crucial final turn of the lap (T27), as well as the beautiful, state-of-the-art Media Island, where the world’s press will cover the race from and which looks directly on to this spectacular high-speed section of the circuit.
Developed in partnership by Tilke Engineers and F1’s own Motorsports Division, the circuit design has made strong use of the long, sweeping roads along the Corniche area, utilizing this feature and existing roads as much as possible along the narrow stretch of coastal land, resulting in one of the most unique and challenging circuits yet to feature in Formula1
An atypical street circuit, fast-flowing with high-speed esses and chicanes as well as long full-throttle sections, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit is designed to deliver spectacular racing and is sure to generate huge excitement for F1 fans around the world and pose a stern examination of the drivers’ strength and skills.