Dorna and Saudi Arabia sign memorandum of understanding for future Grand Prix

Like the F1, MotoGP is also seeking to broaden its scope of action in the Middle East. While the Qatar Grand Prix has been used to launching the seasons for many years, the motorcycle world championship could be entitled to a second race in the region in the coming years. Dorna Sports, the promoter, and Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) confirmed the signing of a memorandum of understanding for “ seal their common desire to organize a Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia."

The two sides met at the San Marino Grand Prix last weekend and signed the memorandum on Sunday on the sidelines of the race in the presence of Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al-Faisal, President of the Saudi Arabian Federations. Automobile and Motorcycle (Saudi Motorsport Company), and Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna Sports.

« As the leading motorcycle championship, we are excited about this opportunity to extend the reach of MotoGP in the Middle East, by adding an annual Grand Prix., underlines Carmelo Ezpeleta. Saudi Arabia is a key market for motorsports. And the demand continues to grow within this Kingdom; a survey showed that 80% of Saudi fans wanted to see more in their country. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated its ability to organize major global events. The signing of this memorandum of understanding acknowledges our shared intention to further explore this opportunity. We are convinced that they will give us a warm welcome and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Saudi Motorsport Company to bring this project to fruition together.."

MotoGP with F1 and the WEC?

If the negotiations between Dorna and SMC result in a mutual agreement, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix should in all likelihood take place in the Qiddiya sports complex, currently under construction.

Indeed, the Qiddiya sports complex will house a permanent circuit which will notably host F1 and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix which has been taking place since 2020 on the Jeddah Corniche is its route at insane speeds. In addition to Formula 1, the promoters of this future circuit wish to attract WEC potentially bringing to 2 the number of rounds of the world championshipEndurance in the Middle East after Bahrain.

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