The very first edition of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix should take in about two months, on December 5, but for now things seem uncertain as the Asian country is far from being ready to host the Formula 1 event. The Jeddah Street Circuit is still under construction and according to an official, it is a race against the clock to finish the track on time.
Working day and night
The circuit is being built in the Saudi coastal city of Jeddah at the Red Sea. With a length of 6.175 kilometres it will be the second-longest circuit on the Formula 1 calendar after the Belgian Grand Prix venue (Spa-Francorchamps). It would also be one of the fastest circuits in the world.
An official of the circuit confirmed for the French news agency AFP that the track is being worked on with all hands. “It will be a race against the clock to get the track finished in time. They are now working day and night,” the official explained.
Lots of interest for Grand Prix
According to Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Faisal, there is a lot of interest in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. “We expect a huge turnout, especially from Europe and the United States,” he said. Tickets for the Grand Prix are not cheap. The cheapest tickets are around 500 euros, for a Paddock Club card you pay just under 6000 euros.
“The Formula 1 project has cost a lot,” bin Sultan Al-Faisal defends the high prices. “It is standard that the costs should be compensated by ticket sales and other sources, including advertisements and local sponsors.”
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