Saudi Arabia will make its Formula One debut next year in a move which is certain to prove highly controversial owing to the country’s record on human rights.
“We are excited to welcome Saudi Arabia to Formula 1 for the 2021 season and welcome their announcement following speculation in recent days,” said Chase Carey, chairman and CEO of Formula One.
“Saudi Arabia is a country that is rapidly becoming a hub for sports and entertainment with many major events taking place there in recent years and we are very pleased that Formula 1 will be racing there from next season.
“The region is hugely important to us and with 70% of the population of Saudi being under 30 we are excited about the potential to reach new fans and bring our existing fans around the world exciting racing from an incredible and historic location. We will be publishing our full provisional 2021 calendar in the coming weeks and this will be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council for approval.”
Prince Abdulaziz bin-Turki AlFaisal Al Saud, the minister of sport added: “Saudi Arabia is accelerating forward and the speed, energy, excitement of Formula One perfectly reflects the transformational journey the country is on. As we’ve witnessed in recent years our people want to be at the very heart of the biggest moments in live sport and entertainment. And they don’t come any bigger than Formula One.”
The race, around a street circuit in Jeddah, is set to form part of a 2021 calendar as close to normal as possible after this year’s disruption owing to the Covid-19 crisis. A new purpose-built track at Qiddiyah is due to be completed in time for the 2023 season.
Other sports, including golf, tennis and boxing have all hosted events in Saudi in recent years, and the all-electric Formula E racing series has had a race there since 2018. But the confirmation that F1 has added Saudi to its roster of races is a significant step forward given the sport’s profile and will be greeted with anger and despair among human rights organisations.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International has called on Lewis Hamilton and his fellow drivers to speak out against the race, which is set to be pencilled in for the final weekend of November.
“Formula One should realise that a Saudi Grand Prix in 2021 would be part of ongoing efforts to sportswash the country’s abysmal human rights record,” the group said in a statement.
“In the lead-up to a race in Jeddah, we would urge all F1 drivers, owners and teams to consider speaking out about the human rights situation in the country, including by expressing solidarity with jailed human rights defenders.”
Formula One stated in response: “For decades Formula One has worked hard be a positive force everywhere it races, including economic, social, and cultural benefits. Sports like Formula One are uniquely positioned to cross borders and cultures to bring countries and communities together to share the passion and excitement of incredible competition and achievement.
“We take our responsibilities very seriously and have 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.”
Next year’s 23-round F1 schedule is due to be signed off in the coming weeks. It is understood that the campaign will get under way at Melbourne’s Albert Park on 21 March 21, with the season to conclude in Abu Dhabi on 5 December. The British Grand Prix is set to avoid a direct clash with the Wimbledon men’s singles final and football’s Euro 2020 showpiece at Wembley. It is understood the Silverstone round is due to take place on 18 July, a week after the conclusion of SW19 and the delayed Euros.
A race in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro also appears on the provisional schedule but there are several question marks over whether the grand prix will actually take place due to both building and environmental concerns at the planned venue in the Camboata Forest.