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New circuit saudi arabia presented

Saudi Arabia present photos of new track: 'Is this Mario Kart?'

6 March at 13:07
2
  • Matt Gretton
  • Editor-in-Chief

Saudi Arabia are making a second Formula One circuit. The new circuit in Qiddiya is reminiscent of Mario Kart, but seems to have a real place in the future for the royal class of motorsport.

Saudi Arabia has shown computer-generated images of the new circuit in Qiddiya. The circuit will have a first corner that rises up to 70 metres. With that, the first curve will be at the height of a 20-floor apartment building. There is also a swimming pool overlooking part of the circuit and a roller coaster running parallel to the track.

Two Grands Prix in Saudi Arabia?

The Qiddiya circuit will not be ready until 2027 at the earliest. Saudi Arabia signed a 10-year deal with F1 in 2021 for $55 million a year. The circuit could replace the street circuit in Jeddah, but Saudi Arabia secretly hopes to host two Grand Prix.

The proposed circuit was designed by former F1 driver Alex Wurz and renowned circuit designer Herman Tilke. The circuit has 21 corners and 108 metres of elevation change. A video and photos of the circuit have already been presented, although these are images from the computer. Online, the pictures were much compared to Mario Kart.