Saudi Arabia has just revealed the design of its upcoming racetrack, Qiddiya Speed Park Track, that is expected to join the Formula One calendar in 2027. Located next to an amusement park near the country’s capital city, Riyadh, the venue boasts several surreal details.
The most impressive is likely turn one. Called “The Blade,” it rises 20 stories over the ground, and under it a concert venue will entertain visitors while cars aren’t racing. And drivers won’t be the only ones going fast, as the Six Flags amusement park that’s next to the track will host the Falcon’s Flight, the world’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster.
In all, the Speed Park Track has more than 354 feet (108 meters) of elevation changes, and race organizers will be able to present drivers with up to 21 corners thanks to a configurable track layout.
Read: Will The New Aston Martin Vantage Safety Car Keep F1 Drivers Happy?
Photos Qiddiya Media
The Qiddiya Investment Company promises that, in addition to the wild design details, the track will provide good racing. Penned by F1 track design veteran Herman Tilke, the course was created with the help of former F1 driver Alex Wurz.
Organizers also promise that fans will be able to follow the race with ease, thanks to a wide selection of seating areas, as well as viewing terraces in nearby buildings. In a video, fans can be seen watching the race from a glass bottom pool.
The Qiddiya Speed Park Track is expected to replace the Jeddah Circuit as Saudi Arabia’s Grand Prix location once it is complete, in 2027, reports ESPN. However, the country has expressed an interest in hosting two races per season, if terms can be agreed to.
In 2021, Saudi Arabia signed a 10-year contract to host F1 races. The deal, worth $55 million per year for the sport, came with over $450 million in sponsorships from Aramco, the country’s state-owned oil company. That has made it one of the biggest contributors to the sport, and sparked accusations of “sportswashing,” from agencies like Amnesty International.
“Over the last few years, the Saudi Arabian authorities have invested heavily in PR stunts to rebrand their image and attempt to deflect attention from their brutal crackdown on activists and human rights defenders,” it wrote at the time. “Any company holding major events in Saudi Arabia must identify, mitigate or prevent any human right abuses that it may cause, contribute to or be directly linked to through its operations, products and services, including Formula 1 and its Grand Prix races.”
Rising 20 storeys above ground level, discover a unique elevated corner unlike anywhere else in the world 🏎️🏁☁️ #QiddiyaCity #PlayLife pic.twitter.com/dX4PqLqsGD
— Qiddiya (@qiddiya_en) March 5, 2024