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

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. 

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

Replies (4)

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  • Do they have a good track though?

    • + 0
    • Jan 15 2020 - 12:09
  • 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
    • 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

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
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