The future of F1 is rising in Qiddiya – and it looks spectacular

©Qiddiya Speed Park

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Rising from the sun-drenched sands outside Riyadh, Formula 1’s future venue in Saudi Arabia – the Qiddiya Speed Park – is no longer just a blueprint of the country’s Vision 2030 project, it is a burgeoning reality that promises to redefine the sensory limits of racing.

The desert floor is currently vibrating with the rhythm of heavy machinery as construction enters a transformative phase.

Fresh glimpses of the site reveal a project no longer confined to ambitious renderings. Steel, concrete, and vision are converging – none more dramatically than at the early stages of “The Blade,” a signature corner set to redefine what a racing circuit can be.

Designed with input from former F1 driver Alexander Wurz, this towering section will soar to the height of a 20-storey building, a gravity-defying statement piece at the heart of the track.

A circuit unlike any other

The numbers alone hint at the spectacle: 21 corners, 108 metres of elevation change, and a layout that twists and surges like a rollercoaster carved into the landscape. But this is more than a circuit – it is an experience.

Part of the vast Qiddiya City project, the track is being woven into a futuristic playground of sport and entertainment, aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions.

©Qiddiya Speed Park

Here, Formula 1 will not stand alone. Instead, cars will scream past theme parks, alongside record-breaking rollercoasters, and within sight of a stadium destined for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

The concept has already captured the imagination of the paddock. Lando Norris summed up the mood with candid admiration.

“It’s what Saudi do, so full respect to them for coming up with some crazy things and trying to make it as cool as what it looks,” commented the reigning world champion.

“You have a lot of places which are nowhere near as lively and as fun.

“So, if you want people to be attracted to the sport in general, you don’t want it just to be a track in the middle of nowhere that no one goes to.”

©Qiddiya Speed Park

With completion now targeted for 2027 and a debut race planned for 2028 – set to succeed the current Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Qiddiya Speed Park is no longer just a bold idea. It is becoming reality, and it promises to reshape the very spectacle of Formula 1.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.