The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was introduced to the Formula 1 calendar in 2021 and quickly secured a long-term place on the schedule.

The event is held on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, a high-speed street track located along the Red Sea coastline. Designed by Hermann Tilke, the circuit is known for its fast corners and flowing layout, making it one of the quickest street circuits in Formula 1.

The 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was cancelled before the race weekend could take place due to the rapidly escalating situation in the Middle East.

Military conflict in the region raised serious safety concerns, prompting the FIA and Formula 1 to decide that it was too dangerous for teams and personnel to travel. Logistical complications, including closed airspace and disrupted transport routes, also contributed to the decision.

Although a later date was briefly considered, the chances of rescheduling the race were ultimately deemed very low.

After the opening rounds in Melbourne, China and Japan, the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were originally scheduled as the next races on the calendar.

Following the cancellation of both events, a gap was created in the schedule, with the Miami Grand Prix becoming the next race.

The 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix took place at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit as the final race of the season’s first triple-header.

In qualifying, championship leader Lando Norris crashed in Q3, while Max Verstappen secured pole position. At the start, Verstappen retained the lead by cutting the first chicane after pressure from Oscar Piastri, which resulted in a five-second time penalty.

Pierre Gasly retired after contact with Yuki Tsunoda, while pit stop strategies played a key role in the outcome of the race. Piastri took the lead after the stops and held on to win.

Verstappen finished second, while Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first Grand Prix podium of the season in third. Norris recovered to fourth, which was enough for Piastri to take the lead in the championship.

The race was first held in 2021 following a partnership between Formula 1 and Saudi Arabian oil company Aramco.

The circuit was designed to prioritise speed and overtaking opportunities, differing from more traditional street circuits like Monaco. Its layout shares similarities with other modern street tracks such as Baku.

There are long-term plans for Formula 1 to move to a new circuit in Qiddiya, a large entertainment and development project near Riyadh.

Max Verstappen has had several notable races in Saudi Arabia. In 2021, he narrowly missed pole position after crashing in the final sector of qualifying and went on to battle Lewis Hamilton in a tense race that included multiple incidents.

He secured his first win at the circuit in 2022 after a strong recovery drive. In 2023, he finished second behind Sergio Perez, while in 2024 he dominated the race from pole position.

In 2025, Verstappen again started from pole but received a time penalty after cutting the first chicane while defending from Piastri. He ultimately finished second.