Media report: Formula E about to move from Diriyah to Formula 1 circuit in Jeddah

After the Rome E-Prix, Formula E might lose another high-speed street circuit that is very popular with the drivers. Instead of Diriyah, the Saudi Arabian E-Prix on 14 and 15 February 2025 is to take place on a shortened version of the Formula 1 circuit in Jeddah. This is reported by Il Messaggero.

In the press release for the Formula E race calendar for the eleventh season, Formula E announced already that there would be a new track layout for the Diriyah E-Prix. The reason for this was assumed to be that parts of the previously used track layout would not be usable next spring due to construction work around the circuit. One of the largest construction pits in the world is located to the south of the circuit in the area of turns 4 to 7.

Now, however, there are to be other plans: instead of the suburb of the Saudi capital Riyadh, the electric series is to race in Jeddah, around 1,000 kilometres further west. A shortened version of the "Jeddah Corniche Circuit" designed by Carsten Tilke, on which the Formula 1 World Championship has been staging the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix since 2021, is to be used.

Formula E on WTCC variant?

The WTCC already used a short version of the street circuit in 2022, which could also be used in Formula E. The touring car series turned left after Turn 4 and returned to the back straight. With twelve corners and a length of 3.45 kilometres, this variant is around 2.7 kilometres shorter than the original circuit, but would be one of the longest circuits by Formula E standards.

As F1 organises night races in Jeddah, the infrastructure for lighting the track would be in place already. Formula E has also held its races in Diriyah after dark for the past four years.

However, official confirmation from the FIA World Motor Sport Council is still pending. This is expected for the committee's next meeting on 17 October.