More Formula 1 races in the Middle East is “beneficial for all of us”, according to Saudi Arabian Grand Prix chief Martin Whitaker.
The 2023 season has kicked off with two races in the region, start at the pioneering Bahrain GP, which was first held in 2004, before Jeddah hosted its third race in just 16 months last weekend.
Two more events are planned later in the year, as Qatar begins its 10-year contract after debuting in 2021, before the now traditional curtain closer in Abu Dhabi.
But while it may seem that four Grands Prix in the Middle East is too many given F1’s relatively small following, Whitaker denies there is oversaturation.
“You only have to look at automobile or global consumer brands, they all tend to congregate in the same area on the high street,” he said speaking before last weekend’s race.
“Yes, there is competition between them, but they are stronger together than they would be if they were all disparate.
“The analogy with F1 races is the same. Saudi Arabia is part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and it’s beneficial for all of us in the region to have Formula 1 races as it increases awareness and helps develop the sport.
“And actually, while it might seem close, the distance between Bahrain and Jeddah is similar to the distance between Silverstone and Budapest, and there are a lot of races that are held between these two European venues.
“So the location of the races in the Middle East are not as close as you think.”
While initially meant as a temporary venue, F1 is now expected to stay in Jeddah until 2027 as construction on a new circuit continues at Qiddiya near Riyadh.
But given the ‘fastest street circuit in F1’ has gained a solid reputation among the drivers, could Saudi Arabia host two races in the future?
“The idea of having two races in Saudi is doable,” Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al Faisal, chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorbike Federation said.
“F1 is growing, there is a lot of demand here and because Saudi is big, the regions are so far away, it’s like the [United] States.
“You have three races in the States because the market is big there and there is a demand. The demand is there, but the decision is not made.
“There is a lot of things that we need to consider and I don’t know if even we want to host two races here, is it practical and feasible for FOM and the teams?
“We built this track [Jeddah] to last, so in theory, yes we can have two races. The sport is growing, the demand is growing, so I would not be surprised if Saudi, in the near future, will host two races, I wouldn’t be surprised.
“The demand is there and we have two beautiful facilities.”
Saudi Arabia is also set to host next year’s season opener in the first weekend of March to avoid clashing with the holy month of Ramadan.
