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Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

(Redirected from Controversies surrounding the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix)

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Arabic: جائزة السعودية الكبرى) is a Formula One motor racing event which took place for the first time in 2021. The inaugural edition of the race was held in Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia. It was the fifth full-night race title on the Formula One calendar, following the Singapore, Bahrain, Sakhir and Qatar Grands Prix.[1]

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Jeddah Corniche Circuit
(2021–present)
Race information
Number of times held4
First held2021
Most wins (drivers)Netherlands Max Verstappen (2)
Most wins (constructors)Austria Red Bull Racing (3)
Circuit length6.174 km (3.836 miles)
Race length308.450 km (191.662 miles)
Laps50
Last race (2024)
Pole position
Podium
Fastest lap

History

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In August 2019, plans for a permanent motorsports complex to be built in the city of Qiddiya near the Saudi capital of Riyadh were made public. The project was conceived by Test and Training International, a motorsports consultancy headed by former Formula One driver Alexander Wurz, with the objective of creating a world-class circuit capable of hosting all FIA categories through to Formula One.[2] In January 2020, plans for a race track in Qiddiya were officially confirmed at an event, where track designer Wurz appeared alongside current and former Formula One drivers who were given the opportunity to drive on the layout in a racing simulator.[3] During the event, it was confirmed that the track was designed to FIA and FIM Grade 1 standards. At the time, Formula One declined to comment on the possibility of a race.[4]

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix first appeared on the first draft of the 2021 Formula One provisional calendar, which was shown to teams at a Formula One Commission meeting, held in October 2020.[5] The draft calendar saw all 22 races from the original 2020 calendar carried over, with the addition of Saudi Arabia.[6] In November 2020, it was announced that the city of Jeddah would host the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, in collaboration with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation,[7] and the Jeddah Corniche Circuit would be located along the shore of the Red Sea.[8]

In October 2022, Saudi Arabia's minister of sport Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Saud expressed interest in having both Jeddah and Qiddiya host annual Formula One races or for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to alternate between the two venues, once the Qiddiya track opens.[9]

In January 2023 it was reported that race organizers expected that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix would be held in Jeddah until 2027 while work on the Qiddiya track continues after which the Jeddah circuit may still be used for a separate Saudi Arabian Formula One race alongside Qiddiya.[10][11]

Criticism

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See also: Sportswashing

The Grand Prix has received criticism from Amnesty International on the grounds of human rights in Saudi Arabia, which is a totalitarian state. Human Rights Watch also condemned the decision arguing that "it is part of a cynical strategy to distract from Saudi Arabia's human rights abuses". Formula One responded by saying that "Formula One has made our position on human rights and other issues clear to all our partners and host countries who commit to respect human rights in the way their events are hosted and delivered" and that "Formula One has worked hard to be a positive force everywhere it races, including economic, social and cultural benefits".[12][13] According to Human Rights Watch, the Grand Prix and other sports events are being used by Saudi Arabia to distract people from serious human rights abuses. The Global Initiative Director at Human Rights Watch, Minky Worden, called upon Formula One to assess situation in Saudi Arabia and insist on releasing women's rights defenders who spoke in favour of women's right to drive.[14] In February 2021, 45 human rights organizations called on Lewis Hamilton to boycott the Grand Prix, citing among other factors Saudi Arabia's role in the Yemeni Civil War and the assassination of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.[15][16] Saudi Arabia has denied the Grand Prix was being used for sportswashing, arguing that the race forms part of the country's efforts to open itself up to the outside world.[17] The event received criticism from human rights groups. Many accused the Arab nation and its Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of "sportswashing" their image. It was claimed that Saudi Arabia was stepping into some of the biggest sport events to cover its human rights violations.[18]

Following the missile interception in Diriyah during the 2021 Diriyah ePrix, questions were raised about the event's viability.[19][20] Formula One later stated that they would never go to high security risk areas, though they also stated that they had "every confidence that the Saudi government and its agencies have both the technology and capability to ensure this safety and security".[21] During the 2021 race, Lewis Hamilton wore a rainbow-coloured helmet, showing his support for the LGBT community and showed that he wanted the rules on people in the LGBT community to change in Saudi Arabia. He also wore this helmet in the previous and following race.

The 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was impacted by the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni civil war. Yemen’s Houthi rebels carried out a missile attack on an Aramco oil depot (approximately 16 kilometres (10 miles) from the circuit), causing an explosion, during the first of two practice sessions. The incident highlighted risks for the race, with drivers, such as Lewis Hamilton, raising concerns over the event’s safety. After discussions lasting several hours, an agreement was reached to hold the event.[22] Besides the attack, there were serious questions over the years of human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. The authoritarian regime was criticised for its continued repression of dissidents, particularly in light of the mass execution of 81 people two weeks before the race.[23]

Circuit

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Main article: Jeddah Corniche Circuit

Named as the 'fastest street track' on the Formula One calendar, with Formula One cars averaging around 250 km/h (160 mph), the track is currently the third longest on the Formula One calendar behind Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and Las Vegas Strip Circuit in the United States.[24][25] The circuit is located on the Jeddah Corniche, adjoining the Red Sea. It was designed by Carsten Tilke, son of the famed circuit designer, Hermann Tilke.[26][27]

In Formula One, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix race and qualifying are both held during the night, under the lights where the temperatures are substantially cooler than the day. The Formula 2 race is held during the day and two of the three Formula One practice sessions are held during daytime and high track temperatures.

Winners

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Repeat winners (drivers)

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Drivers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.

Wins Driver Years won
2   Max Verstappen 2022, 2024
Source:[28]

Repeat winners (constructors)

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Teams in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.

Wins Constructor Years won
3   Red Bull Racing 2022, 2023, 2024
Source:[28]

Repeat winners (engine manufacturers)

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Manufacturers in bold are competing in the Formula One championship in the current season.

Wins Manufacturer Years won
2   Honda RBPT 2023, 2024
Source:[28]

By year

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All Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Year Driver Constructor Report
2021   Lewis Hamilton Mercedes Report
2022   Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing-RBPT Report
2023   Sergio Pérez Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT Report
2024   Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing-Honda RBPT Report
Source:[29]

References

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  1. ^ Smith, Luke (5 November 2020). "Saudi Arabia announces F1 night race in Jeddah for 2021". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  2. ^ Rencken, Dieter (8 August 2019). "Saudi Arabia plans Spa-beating longest F1 track for first race". RaceFans. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  3. ^ Noble, Jonathan (17 January 2020). "New Saudi Arabia circuit in Qiddiya could host F1 race from 2023". Autosport. Archived from the original on 24 February 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  4. ^ Benson, Andrew (17 January 2020). "Saudi Arabia unveils plans for F1 race". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  5. ^ Smith, Luke (27 October 2020). "Formula 1 set for 23-race calendar in 2021". Motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  6. ^ Smith, Luke (30 October 2020). "Formula 1 set for 23-race calendar in 2021". Motor1. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  7. ^ Mitchell, Scott (5 November 2020). "Formula 1 commits to first Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021". The Race. Archived from the original on 27 October 2021. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  8. ^ "F1 adds Saudi Arabian Grand Prix night race to 2021 calendar". Formula1.com. 5 November 2020. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  9. ^ "Saudi Arabia "would love" to hold two F1 races". motorsport.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Jeddah expects to host F1 race until Qiddiya circuit is ready in 2027". RACER. 19 January 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  11. ^ "F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Promoters See Possibility of Two Races There by 2027". Autoweek. 17 March 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  12. ^ "Saudi Arabian GP on provisional schedule". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  13. ^ Richards, Giles (5 November 2020). "Human rights groups urge driver action over F1 race in Saudi Arabia". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Saudi Arabia: Formula 1 Deal Despite Abuses". Human Rights Watch. 8 November 2020. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2020.
  15. ^ "Saudi F1 race: Activists urge Lewis Hamilton to speak out on human rights". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Human Rights Organizations Call On Lewis Hamilton To Boycott Saudi Arabia Grand Prix". Carscoops. 23 February 2021. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Saudi Arabia insists F1 grand prix not effort to 'sportswash' image". www.autosport.com. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
  18. ^ "Saudi Arabia Faces Accusations of 'Sportswashing.' For Young Saudis, It's a Chance to Enjoy New Freedoms". TIME. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  19. ^ "Míssil na Arábia Saudita assusta Fórmula E e deixa Fórmula 1 em alerta" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 28 February 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  20. ^ "Ataque com míssil durante etapa da F-E na Arábia Saudita preocupa F1; entenda" (in Brazilian Portuguese). 1 March 2021. Archived from the original on 1 March 2021. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  21. ^ "FIA and Formula 1 respond to Saudi Arabia situation". grandprix247.com. 6 March 2021. Archived from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2021.
  22. ^ Brown, Oliver (27 March 2022). "Ignoring human rights abuses and racing on through terror attacks: Saudi Arabian GP a new low in F1's hall of shame". Telegraph. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  23. ^ "Formula 1 in Saudi Arabia: Grand Prix of double standards". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 25 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  24. ^ "Fastest ever F1 street circuit revealed for Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah". Formula1.com. 18 March 2021. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  25. ^ "Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2022 - F1 Race". Formula 1. Archived from the original on 20 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  26. ^ "F1 adds Saudi Arabian Grand Prix night race to 2021 calendar". Formula1.com. 5 November 2020. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  27. ^ Rencken, Dieter; Collantine, Keith (13 November 2020). "Saudi Arabian GP promoter appoints Tilke to design "exciting" Jeddah street circuit". RaceFans. Archived from the original on 14 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  28. ^ a b c "Saudi Arabia – Wins". StatsF1. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  29. ^ "Saudi Arabian GP". ChicaneF1. Archived from the original on 9 December 2021. Retrieved 8 December 2021.
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