Saudi Arabia has become the latest country to be tipped to join the Formula 1 calendar.

But where in the middle eastern kingdom could a grand prix be held? The country does not yet have a Formula 1-grade circuit.

Last year Saudi Arabia held its first ever Formula E race on a street track in the capital city Riyadh. But the 2.495 kilometre Ad Diriyah course would have to be extended by over a kilometre in order to meet the FIA’s minimum standard length for F1 circuits (assuming, unlike Monaco’s 3.3km circuit, it was not granted an exemption).

If not Ad-Diriyah, then where? A new multi-billion pound entertainment ‘giga project’ called Qiddiya may be the answer.

The Qiddiya project was announced by crown prince Mohammad bin Salman in July 2017. The vast development, situated 40 kilometres from Riyadh, will cover an area of 334 square kilometres.

The masterplan describes Qiddiya as the country’s “capital of entertainment, sports and the arts”. Among its five areas is a ‘Resort Core’ which will feature a “‘Speed Park’ which brings together events and experiences from the world of motor sports in a venue that places equal emphasis on spectator and driver.”

While the developers have not officially indicated interest in a race, publicity material issued on their social media presences features Formula 1 cars and the official F1 logo. One graphic depicts F1 cars passing beneath a glass-bottomed swimming pool.

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If F1 is their target, a race at Qiddiya will not happen before 2022, when the first phase of construction is due to be completed. However the championship can expect to face similar criticism to Formula E if it chooses to race in Saudi Arabia, particularly following the June publication of a United Nations report on the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

Saudi Arabia’s restrictive policies towards women may present further problems. However some progress has been made in this respect recently: Women were granted the right to drive cars last year and in the past week relaxed laws which forbade women from travelling without the consent of a man.

However other restrictions remain. The Times reported yesterday F1 teams were asked for their views on racing in the country and will stipulate that all female employees associated with the sport should be given the same rights as their male counterparts.

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Image: Qiddiya via Twitter

2019 F1 season