This year, from Friday, December 3rd to Sunday, December 5th, the Formula 1 Grand Prix makes its way to Jeddah for the city’s first ever race weekend. Practice and qualifying events will run on Friday and Saturday, and the main race will be held after sunset on Sunday. A set of concerts by international artists following the race and the breezy seaside setting of the lively city will guarantee anyone attending a memorable weekend.
View of Jeddah and the circuit from the north. Source: F1
About the Circuit: the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, inaugurated for this year’s Grand Prix, will run for 50 laps for a total distance of 191.7 miles (308.5 km), with each lap covering a distance of 3.8 miles (6.2 km). The circuit was exclusively built for the F1 and is located on the Corniche, a coastal resort strip towards the north of Jeddah. Racers will reach an average speed of 155 mph (250 kph) and top speeds of around 200 mph (322 kph), placing the track among the top five fastest F1 races. Click here for more information about the race and the circuit.
View of Jeddah and the circuit from the south. Source: F1
Other Events: the end of each day will be marked by concerts featuring a number of international stars. Jason Derulo and Tiësto will perform on Saturday, December 4th after the qualifying session. Justin Bieber, A$AP Rocky, and David Guetta will headline the post-race concerts on Sunday, December 5th. The famed Egyptian pop singer Mohamed Hamaki will also headline the opening concert on Friday night. The concerts will be held in the Jeddah Corniche Fan Zone inside of the circuit, and entry is free to all Grand Prix ticket holders.
Map of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The Southern Grandstand is situated near turn 27. Source: F1
How to Attend: tickets are going fast, so make sure to get yours now! Three-day tickets for Friday through Sunday start at €478.40 (approx. $556 or SR2,070). Click here to purchase tickets.
Simulated view from the Southern Grandstand of the circuit. Source: F1
How to Watch: for those unable to attend in-person, the race will be broadcast for free for viewers on TV. You can also watch through F1’s live streaming site by clicking here. For international viewers, click here to see broadcast information in your country.
About Jeddah: the vibrant area around the circuit, called the Jeddah Corniche, is home to beaches, new hotels, retail malls, a marina, coffee shops, restaurants, and sporting facilities such as outdoor gyms, beach volleyball courts, tennis courts, and cycle lanes. For information on activities you can do and sights to see while in Jeddah that weekend, visit our previous Lifestyle Corner on music, museums, culture, and seaside activities in the historic coastal cultural hub of Saudi Arabia.
