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Is Saudi Arabia set for spot on the 2021 F1 calendar?

Published on 15 Jan 2020 10:02
4
By: Fergal Walsh

Saudi Arabia could be set to join the Formula 1 grid in 2021, according to reports.

The middle-east nation currently plays host to a Formula E championship event, having hosted the opening two rounds of the season in Ad Diriyah.

According to Sportsmail, the deal is worth £50 million-a-year and would join a list of sports that have flocked to Saudi Arabia in recent years.

Two of Saudi Arabia's bordering countries host an F1 race annually, with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates having spots on the calendar.

Liberty Media, the commercial rights holders of F1, have expressed interest in expanding the race calendar. The upcoming 2020 season will see an unprecedented 22 races take place, as Vietnam and The Netherlands join the roster.

Miami is also still in talks to have a race held in its city, and now a third race in the middle east could be set to become a reality.

Sportsmail reports that F1 has agreed a global sponsorship deal with Aramco. Aramco is a state-owned petroleum and natural gas company and is regarded by some as the richest organisation in the world.

Such a deal would see the event be named the 'Aramco Saudi Arabian Grand Prix', however nothing has yet been confirmed.

mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332

Im sure Hamilton would be happy to participate and win, and celebrate races there, and come home and preach fans about veganism. We could use a Ricky Gervais in F1.

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Jan 15 2020 - 12:21

F1 News

Replies (4)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Do they have a good track though?
- + 0
- Jan 15 2020 - 12:09
mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
Im sure Hamilton would be happy to participate and win, and celebrate races there, and come home and preach fans about veganism. We could use a Ricky Gervais in F1.
- + 2
- Jan 15 2020 - 12:21
- ajpennypacker
  
  Posts: 2,475
  Would are more "ethical" driver then do what? Refuse to participate? Turn down an award? Trash talk the authoritarian country while you're racing there? I've heard this complaints before with Bahrain, Russia, and others. I haven't seen F1 drivers get to the point of preaching that Hollywood celebrities do. If you have criticism save it for the organizers who insist on going to this locations. Criticize the stupid European governments that bitch about hosting F1 races every damn year like the BRDC in Britain, or Hockeheim, or Monza. Races that are well attended, people love them, drivers love them, and yet they can't agree with F1 management.
  + 0
  
  Jan 16 2020 - 02:15
RogerF1

Posts: 501
I could see Ferrari, McLaren and (maybe) Red Bull with their Aston Martin connections being all for it as a brand promotion platform given their market presence there. Enough money there to knock up a new track in next to no time be it desert, city or marina. Maybe ‘theme it’ to have a bit of each?
- + 0
- Jan 15 2020 - 23:42