The development outside Riyadh has reached one of its most striking features, as work begins on the circuit’s towering signature corner known as The Blade.
Designed with input from former F1 driver Alexander Wurz, the track is headlined by the elevated section that will rise to the height of a 20-storey building.
The corner will form part of a layout featuring 108 metres of elevation change, creating a dramatic, rollercoaster-style lap unlike anything currently on the calendar.
The project remains part of the wider Qiddiya City development, a major element of Saudi Arabia’s long-term Vision 2030 strategy, with the circuit integrated into a sprawling entertainment and sporting complex that will also include theme parks and a stadium for the 2034 men’s FIFA World Cup.
Qiddiya circuit March update
Turn 1 and hotel section tunnel
We are seeing first metal deck slab surfacing for the 20 stories high turn 1 🏗️
Set to host Saudi GP in 2028 https://t.co/RE6AjsgZNL pic.twitter.com/LmFq2wcY4c
— ahmed baokbah 🇸🇦 🏎️🛩️ (@ahmed_baokbah) March 30, 2026
From its earliest unveiling, the Qiddiya layout has drawn attention for its bold concept, with 21 corners, high-speed sections, and dramatic elevation changes earning comparisons to the Mario Kart track Rainbow Road.
Large portions of the track will run alongside major attractions within the complex, including a record-breaking rollercoaster, reinforcing its positioning as a spectacle-driven venue.
Driver reaction to the concept has already highlighted its potential to stand out on the calendar, with Lando Norris previously dubbing the venue as looking “pretty crazy.”
“It’s what Saudi do, so full respect to them for coming up with some crazy things and trying to make it as cool as what it looks,” he said.
“You have a lot of places which are nowhere near as lively and as fun.
“So, if you want people to be attracted to the sport in general, you don’t want it just to be a track in the middle of nowhere that no one goes to.”
Originally targeted for completion earlier in the decade, the circuit is now scheduled to be finished in 2027, with a debut F1 race planned for 2028, replacing the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which has hosted the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix since 2021.
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