Saudi Arabia to have Formula 1 race in 2021

The Kingdom will host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in 2021 following an agreement with Liberty, the entity holding the rights to the F1 World Championship, to bring a race from the World Championship circuit to Saudi territory.

For the first time in history, Saudi Arabia will host a Formula 1 race as part of the Saudi state's strategy to diversify its activity so as not to become economically dependent on oil. The Saudi kingdom's Vision 2030 project envisages developing different sectors in the nation in all spheres, from the economic to tourism and others such as sports, in order to broaden its spectrum and not leave it reduced solely to dependence on crude oil, the main source of financing to date. 

Thus, there will be a Formula 1 race in 2021 in Saudi Arabia, which will give a boost to tourism, the economy and sport in the Arab country. 

Formula One Management (FOM), within the Liberty Corporation, issued a statement indicating that the Saudi race will be held at night, on a street circuit in the coastal area of the city of Jeddah. A city that was already part of the last Dakar Rally and is the second in population after Riyadh, the capital. 

With this initiative, Saudi Arabia continues with its moves to seek greater international integration through sport, hosting events such as the Dakar Rally itself or the Spanish Super Cup in football. It has not been specified for how many years the contract is that links both parties to celebrate the F1 Grand Prix, but it was noted that there is a deal "for a long period". 

Chase Carey, still CEO of F1 until Stefano Domenicali replaces him in a few weeks, was very happy with this news: "We are excited to welcome Saudi Arabia. It is a country that has quickly become a hub for sports and entertainment events with many events in recent years and we are delighted that F1 is going there.

For his part, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Faisal al-Saud, Minister of Sports of Saudi Arabia, referred to the evolution and opening up that his country is undergoing. "The excitement of F1 reflects the moment of transformation the country is undergoing", he said.

The FOM statement indicated that the rest of the Formula 1 calendar for 2021 will be known soon.