JEDDAH — After months of anticipation and excitement, the FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2021 on Friday finally welcomed the F1 teams, drivers, crews and fans as they arrive at Formula 1’s newest street circuit for the opening day of what will be an unforgettable race weekend at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Friday’s schedule of events on and off track is set to be incredibly busy and filled with some great moments and the first of many memories for everyone to take home with them when they finally leave the world’s newest, longest and fastest street circuit later this weekend.

Ticket holders will be able to experience three days of non-stop sporting action and live entertainment as the pinnacle of motorsport descends on the Red Sea coast. Indeed, the latest addition to the F1 calendar is already set to go down in the sport’s history books as it gets set to play host to a titanic title battle for the ages between seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton & the young pretender to his crown, Max Verstappen. Only time will tell if this epic fight for the F1 World Drivers’ Championship will be decided on the high-speed Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

On track today sees an exciting schedule for F1 fans to enjoy. Formula 1’s superheroes will get their first taste of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit when they take part in the first two Free Practice sessions. These runs will be crucial as the drivers acclimatise to the newest circuit in the sport and get their bearings ahead of tomorrow’s vital Qualifying session. After such a long wait, it will be a magnificent sight to see the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso race in front of their adoring Saudi fans.

In addition to the F1 action, today will also see the first outings for the hugely popular F1 feeder series, Formula 2, as well as the longest running and most successful championship in the region, the Porsche Sprint Cup Challenge Middle East.

Furthermore, a special demonstration run of Alan Jones’ 1980 World Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship Winning car – the legendary Williams FW07B – will take place before the main racing action starts. Famously backed by several Saudi businesses at the time, the FW07B, is one of the most celebrated cars in F1 history and highlights the strong bond the Kingdom shares with the world’s premier motorsport series. The demonstration will be given extra poignancy this weekend in light of the tragic passing of Williams’ founder and former Team Principal, Sir Frank Williams, earlier this week.

Off track, fans will also be able to enjoy the many fun events that have been scheduled for them for when they are not being dazzled by the world’s greatest drivers racing this brand-new street circuit, including enjoying all that the F1 Fanzone has to offer.

Finally, after the noise of the last engine has died down on Day 1 of the FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2021, the first of the weekend’s nightly concerts by Egyptian superstar Mohamed Hamaki and global dance music icon, DJ Snake, will take place on the Main Stage to ensure fans go home with a big smile on their faces ahead of the next day of action on and off track. — SG