Saudi Arabia readies fastest F1 circuit in Jeddah for debut GP
JEDDAH, July 13, 2021
Construction work is full swing on the Formula 1's fastest-ever street circuit, being readied at Jeddah Corniche track for the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix set for December 5.
The 27-corner, 6.1-km circuit will be the second-longest on the calendar and feature an average speed of 250 km/h, according to simulations.
To be run under floodlights, the Jeddah race could also feature three DRS zones to add even more excitement, said Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC), the promoter of the 2021 Saudi F1 Grand Prix.
A key part of that high-speed layout will be Turn 13, banked at 12-degrees, plus the stretch from Turn 23 to Turn 27 that will see drivers hit 322 km/h, it stated.
Scheduled to make its F1 debut on December 3 – 5, 2021, the 2021 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will mark its arrival in style with the newest circuit in the sport estimated to see drivers reach average speeds of 250km/h, making it the fastest street circuit in the world - and in the top 5 fastest F1 circuits altogether.
F1’s superstars are projected to reach top speeds of up to 322 km/h as they race towards Turn 27.
Featuring no less than 27 corners, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit stretches to 6.175 km in length, making it the second longest circuit on the current F1 calendar behind the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and the longest street circuit in the sport, stated SMC in its statement.
As the countdown begins for the biggest battle of the world's top drivers at Jeddah, SMC gave sneak peak into the state-of-the-art Pit & Team Building that will be the centrepiece of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit – F1’s newest track.
It also unveiled images of the spectacular home to teams, drivers, staff and VIP guests alike during the inaugural F1 race weekend in the kingdom.
Designed by renowned Tilke GmbH architect, Ulrich Merres, the 280-m-long, four-storey, cutting-edge structure takes the form of a composed landscape of multi-storey staggered buildings sitting splendidly alongside the main straight of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, defined in its detail by straight and sleek lines.
Housing all team garages as well as the race control centre and the exclusive Paddock Club premium hospitality suites, the Pit & Team Building will provide guests with a magnificent view down on to the Pit Lane and starting grid where the most crucial moments of the racing action will occur when Formula 1 makes its debut in Jeddah for the penultimate round of the FIA Formula One World Championship.
Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF), said: “We are delighted to share these exclusive renderings of our stunning Pit & Team Building with the world today. The Pit Building stands as a symbol of all that this race represents: welcoming, modern and spectacular.
Designed to fit harmoniously within the track and its surroundings, its architectural expression is equally inspired by its idyllic location on the banks of the Red Sea and the layout of the circuit.
Indeed, the building's functionality, visual connection to the track and sensible positioning mark it out as one of the most unique and innovative structures of its kind, guaranteeing spectacular views of the racing action as well as of the breathtaking Jeddah waterfront, he stated.
"With just few months left untill the pinnacle of motorsport reaches Saudi Arabia, preparations are progressing at an incredible rate as our dedicated team gears up for the first ever F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. We can’t wait to welcome you to Jeddah this December for a weekend of record-breaking racing and world-class entertainment," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
