Saudi Arabia added to 2021 calender
Discussion
A race along the shore of the red sea - albeit at night so could be anywhere 
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.everyth...
Layout (I think this is final layout)
And in someones wet dream they think it'll look a bit like this when it relocates to a permanent track (in a theme park!?) in 2-3 years time.
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.everyth...
Layout (I think this is final layout)
And in someones wet dream they think it'll look a bit like this when it relocates to a permanent track (in a theme park!?) in 2-3 years time.
Edited by TheDeuce on Thursday 5th November 15:21
sgtBerbatov said:
I'm quite excited to see the return of Stewart GP, if that second image is to be believed.
Otherwise, roll on a woman getting in to F1 and winning a race there.
Otherwise, roll on a woman getting in to F1 and winning a race there.
Quite a variety of different era cars in that image! I'm not sure whoever created it knows very much about F1!!
TheDeuce said:
politics aside - what do people think of the circuit?
Note that it appears to run ant-clockwise if the runoffs etc are correct as indicated on the image above.
It appears to run around the city sewage works and a vehicle impound, with the pits on some waste ground behind the docks. No wonder they want to run the race at night. Presumably the surrounds will be kept as dark as possible so we can't see what a sNote that it appears to run ant-clockwise if the runoffs etc are correct as indicated on the image above.
thole it is.Big Nanas said:
Yes you can see its anti clockwise with the grid space directions.
Looks pretty decent to me, who designed it?
Not a clue. Seems very little information on it, other than 'it's happening'.Looks pretty decent to me, who designed it?
I don't think the articles I skimmed through even mentioned that it was anti-clockwise, but it obviously is. I guess now it's official we'll see some simulator footage fairly soon. They must already have had it in the sims to get some feedback on the proposed layout and speeds etc.
I'm not expecting any elevation changes, the area looks to be entirely flat.
TheDeuce said:
politics aside - what do people think of the circuit?
Note that it appears to run ant-clockwise if the runoffs etc are correct as indicated on the image above.
Anti-clockwise is good. It was said last weekend that Imola was the first a/c track this year, which was surprising. For some reason clockwise tracks seem to the norm in Europe. Note that it appears to run ant-clockwise if the runoffs etc are correct as indicated on the image above.
The only straight bit on the whole track seems to be past the pits, and it’s probably the only overtaking spot. Last two corners look like they’re probably flat in an F1 car, so the last real corner is the chicane before that. There seems to be a good mix of slow, medium and high speed corners.
The render is too close to the water in a lot of places, there will need to be more runoffs than in the render, unless they have barriers right up to the track as we see in Canada and Australia - which would make for a good circuit where mistakes are penalised.
Expect the Saudis to spend a *LOT* of money on the facility and the race, the government there is building an enormous tourist resort and this will be the centrepiece of it. The race will be advertised absolutely everywhere as they try and attract inbound tourism, something that wasn’t allowed expect for religious pilgrimages until last year.
abzmike said:
Right front tyre wear is going to be a bugger if its hot.
Good point, I wonder when they’re planning the race to fit into the season, alongside Bahrain in the spring, Abu Dhabi in the autumn, or at another time? I’m in Dubai and it’s still 35°C during the day at the moment. Any earlier than now, or later than about April would be way too hot to attract a crowd.
Sandpit Steve said:
Good point, I wonder when they’re planning the race to fit into the season, alongside Bahrain in the spring, Abu Dhabi in the autumn, or at another time?
I’m in Dubai and it’s still 35°C during the day at the moment. Any earlier than now, or later than about April would be way too hot to attract a crowd.
It will be in November, one week ahead of Abu Dhabi.I’m in Dubai and it’s still 35°C during the day at the moment. Any earlier than now, or later than about April would be way too hot to attract a crowd.
Sandpit Steve said:
TheDeuce said:
politics aside - what do people think of the circuit?
Note that it appears to run ant-clockwise if the runoffs etc are correct as indicated on the image above.
Anti-clockwise is good. It was said last weekend that Imola was the first a/c track this year, which was surprising. For some reason clockwise tracks seem to the norm in Europe. Note that it appears to run ant-clockwise if the runoffs etc are correct as indicated on the image above.
The only straight bit on the whole track seems to be past the pits, and it’s probably the only overtaking spot. Last two corners look like they’re probably flat in an F1 car, so the last real corner is the chicane before that. There seems to be a good mix of slow, medium and high speed corners.
The render is too close to the water in a lot of places, there will need to be more runoffs than in the render, unless they have barriers right up to the track as we see in Canada and Australia - which would make for a good circuit where mistakes are penalised.
Expect the Saudis to spend a *LOT* of money on the facility and the race, the government there is building an enormous tourist resort and this will be the centrepiece of it. The race will be advertised absolutely everywhere as they try and attract inbound tourism, something that wasn’t allowed expect for religious pilgrimages until last year.
They're using existing roads for almost the entire circuit - so they are where they are.. You can see there is a bit more space than initially obvious if you zoom in, but for sure at places it'll just have to be track>barrier wall. Which is actually fine, it can makes the cars look faster than an expanse of open space.
Are they transforming Jeddah in to a tourists resort? Or do you mean Qiddiya? That's where they're in theory moving to in a few years as a permanent circuit, also in the same area will be a huge amusement park, mall, golf etc.
Sandpit Steve said:
Expect the Saudis to spend a *LOT* of money on the facility and the race, the government there is building an enormous tourist resort and this will be the centrepiece of it. The race will be advertised absolutely everywhere as they try and attract inbound tourism, something that wasn’t allowed expect for religious pilgrimages until last year.
There is a quiet, positive revolution happening in Saudi... or at least trying to happen. Traditionalists are a dyeing breed and there's long been recognition that the country needs to start to prepare for a post-oil existence and align more with western norms.I've been to Jeddah couple of times and know where the circuit is being planned. It should be OK. Jeddah is a very cosmopolitan city, completely different to Riyadh. People are more western-orientated and western-influenced. It's a nice place and were it not for the lack of a beer, I'd be happy to spend a week there as a tourist. I'm told that there are moves to permit alcohol for tourists.
There's also a big car-culture there, unlike Azerbaijan.
Whilst I'd rather see more races at the sort of tracks we've seen this year, I wouldn't write this off as a pure money making exercise.
TheDeuce said:
sgtBerbatov said:
I'm quite excited to see the return of Stewart GP, if that second image is to be believed.
Otherwise, roll on a woman getting in to F1 and winning a race there.
Otherwise, roll on a woman getting in to F1 and winning a race there.
Quite a variety of different era cars in that image! I'm not sure whoever created it knows very much about F1!!
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