RIYADH: Formula E returns to Riyadh later today for the second leg of the Diriyah-E-Prix double-header in the opening round of season 7, following an electric opening race last night which saw a maiden victory for Mercedes-EQ driver Nyck de Vries.
Completing the podium, Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al Faisal, Chairman of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, was Edoardo Mortara of ROCKiT Venturi Racing, who finished second, and Jaguar Racing’s Mitch Evans in third.
“What an incredible race. Once again Diriyah has made sporting history with another ‘first’ and I’m so pleased Saudi Arabia has proudly opened this wonderful series to start Season 7,” said Prince Khalid.
“Thank you to everyone at the team, because I know it sounds like a cliche, but everyone honestly worked really hard to get here, so thank you,” de Vries said immediately after his win.
The delighted Dutchman was congratulated by the President of the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation, Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al-Faisal, after receiving a winner’s trophy on the podium for the first time in his Formula E career.
Edoardo Mortara of ROKiT Venturi Racing, racing in Diriyah for the third time, finished second, while Mitch Evans of Jaguar Racing was third and Rene Last of Audi Sport ABT SCHAEFFlER fourth.
Saudi Arabia s inaugural grand prix pushed to December
JEDDAH, January 27, 2021 Saudi Arabia’s debut Formula 1 grand prix will take place in December after the 2021 calendar was revised and the start of the season was postponed by a week due to the ongoing pandemic, said a report. The first Saudi Arabian Grand Prix had been set for November 26-28, but a new date was announced following the decision to postpone the start of this year’s season due to travel restrictions, said a report in The 2021 calendar for F1 has been revised and will now begin on March 28 with the Bahrain Grand Prix.
DUBAI: After a year disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 is already shaping up to be a momentous one for motorsports fans in Saudi Arabia.
The new year was only three days old when the Dakar Rally kicked into gear through Saudi Arabia’s desert terrain, and Dec. 5 has been slated as the day Formula 1 comes to the Kingdom with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. In between, Formula E is set for a third edition in February.
For the Saudi authorities and organizers, the hosting of these events represents a welcome return as the nation, and the world, takes small steps to add some familiarity to an otherwise unpredictable world.