By: In Saudi Arabia, a circuit is taking shape that promises to become one of the most spectacular — and probably controversial — in Formula 1 history. With its debut planned for 2028, the track is increasingly taking shape, and new photographs released by Ahmed Baokbah show the vast construction works at Qiddiya Speed Park, the futuristic venue set to take over from Jeddah and bring the F1 circus to the outskirts of Riyadh.
Designed by Hermann Tilke alongside former driver Alexander Wurz, the circuit will be approximately 7.7 kilometres long, featuring 21 corners, speeds of more than 325km/h and a total elevation change of 108 metres. The layout will combine permanent sections with street-style stretches, running through a huge sports and entertainment complex.
However, the most striking element of this grand project will be the first corner, known as "The Blade": an elevated structure rising 70 metres — the equivalent of a 20-storey building — with a space for concerts and events directly beneath the track. It is an architectural solution never before seen in Formula 1, and its enormous support structures are already clearly visible in the photographs.
The project forms part of Qiddiya City, one of Saudi Arabia’s key investments under the Vision 2030 programme, which aims to transform the area — spanning more than 360 square kilometres — into a major international entertainment hub. Its one-of-a-kind attractions include those at the Six Flags Qiddiya theme park, already open to the public, where several rides have been designed specifically to break world records, including the tallest, fastest and the one with the most inversions. The circuit will join them, with the aim of becoming a tourist attraction in its own right.
According to an update published on 12 November, construction had reached 42% completion, while the Formula 1 debut is provisionally expected in 2028, although no date has yet been officially confirmed.
The images finally reveal the true scale of a project that looked almost like science fiction in the renderings. It remains to be seen whether such architectural ambition will also translate into a circuit capable of producing great racing, or whether it will have the effect already seen this year with Madring. Building a corner 70 metres in the air is certainly spectacular; making it a good overtaking opportunity would be an even more interesting achievement.
Photos by Ahmed Baokbah
