The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix made its debut in 2021, part of Formula 1’s aggressive growth into the Middle East and its commercial alignment with major regional sponsors like Aramco. It became the third Gulf race after Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, solidifying the region as a new motorsport hotspot.

• The inaugural race was held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, a temporary street track along the Red Sea coast.

• Its inclusion reflected both Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 campaign and F1’s appetite for night racing, spectacle, and untapped markets.

The inaugural race was wild: red flags, multiple restarts, and a heated clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Verstappen was penalized for erratic driving, and Hamilton won, keeping the championship tied heading into the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi finale.