Saudi Arabia Wants To Build One Of The Wildest Racing Circuits Ever; First Corner Is 20 Stories High

Formula 1 is in Saudi Arabia this weekend with the race held on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

But race organizers (read: the Saudi government) are already planning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix's next venue.

That's because the current street circuit is temporary and the plan is to move the race to a more permanent home in the city of Riyadh. Formula E already races in the city, but they wouldn't use that track for F1. Instead, they plan to build a new circuit as part of the Qiddiya tourism mega-project.

They're calling this the Speed Park Track and, according to Racer, it was designed by ex-F1 driver Alex Wurz and German circuit designer Hermann Tilke.

Tilke has designed quite a few circuits, including Bahrain International Circuit, Shanghai International Circuit, and Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina Circuit. His style of design usually features giant run-off areas which are great for safety purposes, but are criticized for increasing the margin for error when a driver goes off track. It's a more modern approach compared to traditional circuits like Monza or Spa that often have grass or gravel — which is far less forgiving if at all — just beyond the track limits.

However, this track looks more intriguing than a lot of "Tilkedromes" as they're known. I see interesting corners, plus a massive elevation change. 

Speaking of which, this track features a first corner unlike anything we've ever seen: The Blade.

This is a planned first corner that will be 20 stories above the ground. Here's a video mock-up of what it'd look like.

Now, if someone could just explain to me why an F1 car overtook what looked like a GT3 car.

This looks incredible… but I'll believe it when I see it. This construction project that includes the track has been pushed back multiple times and now will be completed in 2027 at the earliest.

Plus, having cars up that high is cool, but is it practical or even safe? What happens if two cars touch wheels and one goes airborne? How high are the safety fences? Can the structure itself withstand the forces of 20 F1 cars driving across it?

And that's not to mention that this is a Saudi project. They like to talk a big game, but we'll see if ever comes to fruition.

Regardless, it's a stunning concept and kind of a neat exercise in envisioning what a circuit of the future could look like.

Apparently, they'll look a lot like the Neo Bowser City circuit from Mario Kart.