Construction of Saudi Arabia’s futuristic Qiddiya F1 circuit is continuing at pace, with new aerial footage showing major progress on its extraordinary first corner, known as “The Blade”. The elevated Turn 1 will rise around 70 metres above ground level — roughly the height of a 20-storey building — and is set to become the defining feature of the Qiddiya Speed Park Track, which is being developed with the aim of hosting the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from 2028.
The project is moving ahead despite the disruption to Saudi Arabia’s place on the 2026 Formula 1 calendar. The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at Jeddah was called off amid the conflict in the Middle East, while Formula 1 was forced to reshape parts of the season in unusual ways. Bahrain’s cancelled event, for example, is now scheduled to be staged at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit in early October. The latest official schedule can be followed through the 2026 Formula 1 calendar.
Saudi Arabia pushes ahead with Qiddiya F1 circuit
Rather than attempting to recover the Jeddah race during the current season, Saudi Arabia is continuing with its original long-term plan to build an entirely new Formula 1 venue at Qiddiya. The circuit forms part of a much larger futuristic development near Riyadh that will include skyscrapers, stadiums, amusement parks, golf courses and other entertainment and sporting facilities.
Fresh aerial images, following previous construction updates earlier in the year, now provide another indication of how far the project has progressed. The most striking development remains the enormous structure being created for Turn 1.
‘The Blade’ will send F1 cars 70 metres into the air
The centrepiece of the Qiddiya Speed Park Track is The Blade, the spectacular elevated first corner. The design is intended to create one of the most dramatic elevation changes ever seen on a Formula 1 circuit, with the track climbing sharply to a height of around 70 metres.
Its concept inevitably draws comparisons with some of Formula 1’s most famous uphill sections, including Eau Rouge and Raidillon at Spa-Francorchamps and the steep run towards Turn 1 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin.
There is, however, one enormous difference. Qiddiya is being constructed in a largely flat desert environment, meaning the elevation is not naturally provided by the landscape. Instead, engineers are effectively building a structure approximately as tall as a 20-storey building so the circuit can climb to its record-breaking height.
The corner was designed as part of the wider circuit project by renowned track architect Hermann Tilke together with former Formula 1 driver Alexander Wurz. Qiddiya itself confirms that The Blade will stand 70 metres high and form the world’s first elevated racetrack corner of its kind.
Fans could walk beneath Formula 1 cars at Qiddiya
The immense structure is not designed simply to carry the racing surface. An accessible area is planned underneath the elevated section and could become one of the circuit’s defining spectator attractions.
Visitors are expected to be able to walk beneath the structure while Formula 1 cars race approximately 70 metres above them, creating a viewing experience unlike anything currently found on the championship calendar.
Recent footage shared on social media shows that the structure supporting Turn 1 is approaching an advanced stage of construction. Elsewhere around the site, the outline of the remaining circuit can already be identified across the desert.
Qiddiya Speed Park could become F1’s longest circuit
The scale of the project extends far beyond The Blade. The Qiddiya Speed Park Track will feature 21 corners, while its designers have incorporated both open-circuit and street-circuit-style sections into the layout.
The venue is also being designed for very high speeds, with Qiddiya indicating projected top speeds of more than 325 km/h. The complete layout is expected to rank among the longest circuits used by Formula 1 and has been conceived to integrate with the surrounding attractions rather than exist as an isolated permanent race track.
Alexander Wurz, the former Formula 1 driver and president of the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, has been involved in the design alongside Hermann Tilke. Their aim has been to create a layout that combines an unusual visual identity with the requirements of modern top-level motorsport.
Qiddiya targets 2028 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix debut
The Qiddiya circuit is currently expected to be ready to host the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from 2028, replacing Jeddah as the country’s main Formula 1 venue. Current construction progress suggests that the project is moving towards that target, although the precise timing of Formula 1’s switch remains dependent on the completion and approval of the new facility.
That leaves an important question over the immediate future of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. After the cancellation of the 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah is still expected to be the venue should Formula 1 return to Saudi Arabia in the early part of the 2027 season, traditionally between March and April.
However, whether the race can take place will continue to depend on developments in the wider regional conflict. With the situation remaining unpredictable, Formula 1 is already considering contingency options should another change to the calendar become necessary.
For Saudi Arabia, however, the longer-term direction is becoming increasingly clear. Jeddah was introduced as the country’s spectacular high-speed street circuit, but Qiddiya is being built as a permanent statement venue — and its 70-metre-high first corner gives an early indication of just how ambitious that project is.
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