What makes the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix special – and why you should see it

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has become one of the most challenging races on the F1 calendar since its inaugural edition in 2021. With cars reaching extreme speeds around a tight street circuit, the night race in Jeddah provides plenty of fireworks – on and off track.

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is lightning fast and has produced many memorable moments in its first five years – including special victories and epic title drama.

2026 will see Jeddah host Round 5 of the Formula 1 season on 19 April, with the on-track action once again set to be as stunning as the idyllic stretch of the Kingdom’s coastline on which it takes place.

No room for error

The grid have to be at their very best as there isn’t a challenge quite like the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Whether pushing flat out in Qualifying or attacking for position during the race, drivers must be supremely precise as they fly through all 27 corners. The walls loom large on apexes and exits, and we’ve seen the very best fall victim to them if they stray too far from the racing line.

Between the technical sections, there are golden opportunities for daring overtakes. Heavy braking zones at Turn 1, 13, and 27 are great places to make moves.

When is the 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?

The 2026 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend begins on Friday, 17 April with the F1 cars on track for Free Practice 1 and 2. Saturday, 18 April kicks off with the final Practice session followed by Grand Prix Qualifying. The Grand Prix itself takes place on Sunday, 19 April at 2000 local time.

Check out the RACE HUB to see when each F1 session starts in your local time zone, wherever you are in the world.

What’s so great about the Jeddah Corniche Circuit?

The track is fast. Very fast. Average speeds are around 250kph – quicker than those at Silverstone, and second on the calendar only to Monza, aka ‘The Temple of Speed’.

It is, quite simply, the fastest street circuit ever seen in Formula 1. The track also features the most corners on the calendar with 27, many of them quick, sinuous bends as the drivers thread their way along the Jeddah waterfront.

The weekend schedule is full of action, with F1 practice, Qualifying, the Grand Prix supported by other categories – including Round 3 of Formula 2 and the second round for F1 Academy. That means plenty of track running and multiple chances to see wheel-to-wheel action.

Away from the racing, the event itself is open and welcoming. Many grandstands sit close to the action, especially on the start finish straight and around the quick corners of Sector 1, while general admission areas offer standing views elsewhere.

Between sessions, fans have plenty to check out around the circuit venue too – including the official F1 Fanzone, food and drink vendors, and premium hospitality options.

Standout scenes in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has served up plenty of unforgettable moments already, despite its short history on the F1 calendar.

Here’s a selection to give you a flavour of the drama Jeddah serves up…

2021: The penultimate event the season was box office. Max Verstappen almost had the perfect Qualifying lap before crashing at Turn 27, followed by a race long battle – with incidents aplenty – between him and Lewis Hamilton. It all ended with the pair level on points in the Championship (each having 369.5 points) with just one race to go.

2022: Verstappen claimed his first win in Jeddah, beating Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by less than a second after the duo swapped positions several times under the lights.

2023: Fernando Alonso reached another Formula 1 milestone, taking his 100th podium after an initial ten-second time penalty was reversed post-race.

2024: Ollie Bearman took the paddock by storm after finishing a brilliant P7 for Ferrari on debut. The Scuderia's academy racer had been called up to drive late during the weekend to replace Carlos Sainz, who had appendicitis.

How can I watch the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?

Nothing beats being there! Head to F1 Tickets to secure your place and catch all the action. F1 Experiences has a great range of premium ticket packages too, getting you closer to Formula 1 than ever before.

For details of the broadcaster in your area, click here.

You can also watch the drama unfold via F1 TV Pro (in selected countries only).