FIA Formula 1 Race Director and Safety Delegate, Michael Masi inspected on Thursday the readiness of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on the eve of the inaugural FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2021 before giving the fledgling circuit his seal of approval ahead of its F1 debut this weekend. The inspection evaluated the quality of the track and its surrounding facilities to ensure it is fit for the purpose of hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix. After carrying out a thorough inspection, Masi delivered a positive endorsement of the fledgling street circuit. He said: "It has been an impressive journey for all involved to make the first FIA Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix a reality, and the progress that I have seen on each of my visits over recent months has been remarkable." "The circuit itself has now been completed to a high level and complies with FIA Grade 1 standards that we require for hosting a Grand Prix. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit will provide an interesting new challenge for the drivers and teams, and I'm looking forward to another exciting weekend as this fantastic 2021 FIA Formula 1 season draws closer to its conclusion." Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) and Saudi Motorsport Company welcomed the positive outcome of today's final inspection. He said: "We are thrilled to have joined Michael Masi today as he completed his final inspection of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. We are even more delighted that he has given it his expert seal of approval, meaning that we can let the world know that we are ready to race this weekend on the world's newest and fastest street circuit!" "The fact we have reached this point after only 8 months is an achievement that cannot be overstated. The hard work and dedication of all our staff has helped to make this happen and we can now look forward to an unforgettable race weekend." The Saudi Motorsport Company has successfully completed most of the necessary preparatory work for the first ever Formula 1 race to take place in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has worked non-stop to ensure that the greatest drivers in the world will race on the soon-to-be- fastest and longest street circuit in the world this weekend. Moreover, in achieving this feat in only 8 months, it becomes the fastest F1 Circuit ever to be built. Scheduled to make its F1 debut this weekend, the FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2021 will mark its arrival in style with the newest circuit in the sport estimated to see drivers reach average speeds of 250km/h, making it the fastest street circuit in the world - and in the top five fastest F1 circuits altogether! Indeed, the superstars of F1 are projected to reach top speeds of up to 322km/h as they race towards Turn 27. Featuring no less than 27 corners, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit stretches to 6.175km in length, making it the second longest circuit on the current F1 calendar behind the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and the longest street circuit in the sport. Additionally, three consecutive sections of the circuit have been marked out as potential DRS Zones, ensuring plenty of overtaking opportunities for the drivers throughout the race. The fact the race will take place at night under the lights will only add to the amazing atmosphere F1 fans can expect to experience in December. — SG
