Saudi Arabia interested in an F1 team 'if it makes sense'

A Saudi Arabian-owned team could soon be on the cards based on the growth shown by Formula 1, according to the chairman of the country’s motorsports federation.

Saudi influence in F1 has increased markedly in recent years, with the grand prix in Jeddah joining the calendar in 2021, and a new track at Qiddiya currently under constructions. Aramco is also a global partner of F1 alongside being the title partner of Aston Martin, where there is an ownership stake currently up for sale as Aston Martin Lagonda looks to offload its shareholding.

Given the fact that most recent Concorde Agreement allows for 12 teams, and Cadillac’s entry in 2026 will take the number up to 11, then there is a slot on the grid for a new team, or for a takeover of an existing constructor.

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“I mean, it could happen,” Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal said. “It could happen soon if you see the growth, first of all. If you're going to buy a Formula 1 team, then people will buy it to make money out of it, especially if it's going to be bought by one of the PIF (Public Investment Fund) companies.

“So we see there is a lot of [growth], now Formula 1 is reaching new markets, the sales are globally increasing. We saw the partnership with Aramco and Aston Martin. So, all directions say that maybe soon Saudi can, if they see if it's feasible, if it makes sense, then why not?

“Nobody dislikes making money, so if you can make money out of Formula 1, but I think it's very tricky. You need to know exactly which team to buy and who to partner with and who will manage this.

“It's very difficult because you see Formula 1 became very competitive and there's a lot of changes in the regulations. We saw [the change that] is going to come in 2026 and the talks about Formula 1 going back to the V10 engines – naturally-aspirated engines – so the decision is very difficult.

“It's not easy to say which team to buy and how you're going to manage it. But we have a lot of interest. They're sponsoring, we're hosting a Formula 1 race, we're sponsoring teams, so I wouldn't be surprised if we see an announcement for a Saudi team.

“And personally, I would like to see a Saudi team, but if Saudi Arabia, or one of the Saudi companies will be involved in one of the teams, I would like them to do it the right way and be successful. So it's a tricky question, but why not?”

Prince Khalid would also like to see the future Qiddiya circuit be an additional race alongside the existing event in Jeddah if possible, but says no discussions have been held with F1 on that front, with the original plan to move the Saudi Arabian race to the new venue outside Riyadh.

“Saudi Arabia as a country, we would like to host two races. Jeddah and Riyadh, they are two different regions and two different markets. And Saudi Arabia, it's a very big market. But is it feasible? And can we do two races given the complicated calendar?

“We know that we have a market for it in Saudi Arabia, but it's something that we haven’t thought about. Let's see what the demand will be when we move to Riyadh and maybe discuss it once we move to Riyadh and see if we can still maintain to have two races, which I really doubt that… All the teams, everybody's complaining about [the number of races], and we have already four races in the Middle East.

“But, personally, I would like to see two races in Saudi. We know that the United States have three races after Las Vegas was introduced. Saudi Arabia is a very big country. I mean, it can happen, but will it happen? It's too early to discuss this now.”