Formula One is reportedly in talks to hold a race in Saudi Arabia, it has been reported.
The UK’s Times reported that there have been discussions held between the two parties and teams have been asked for their views on racing in the Gulf kingdom which has recently held its inaugural Formula E race weekend.
The Times said Liberty Media, the new owner of the sport, is eager to grow its audience in the Middle East where races are held in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.
It added that there are concerns about racing in Saudi Arabia and Formula One and the teams will ask for a “significant” number of reassurances.
If Formula One were to race in the kingdom it would follow in the footsteps of Formula E which had its season opener in Saudi Arabia last December.
Formula E is returning to Saudi Arabia later this year, with crowds of up to 100,000 expected for the November 22-23 event, a marked increase on 2018’s 60,000.
Last year’s sell-out Ad Diriyah E-Prix included music icons such as David Guetta, Enrique Iglesias, One Republic and the Black-Eyed Peas, performing as part of the racing championship’s debut in the Middle East.
The 2019 Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix will be the second year of a 10-year partnership between ABB FIA Formula E and the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF).
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