If all goes to plan, and COVID-19 stays at bay, the historic Saudi port town of Jeddah will welcome the kingdom’s first Formula One racing event in the fall of 2021. “These things were unheard of in the past and now they are happening [in Saudi Arabia]. Saudi Arabia was the third country in the Middle East to host a Formula One event after Bahrain and Abu Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Conversely, it was the first in the region to host a Formula E event in 2018. The F-1 in Schools event uses something most school children grasp inherently the thrill of an auto race to get children interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects. The F-1 in Schools contest is held in Saudi Arabia too, but the country has neither placed in an Formula One event or hosted the “F-1 in Schools” championships. However, Saudi Arabia hosted a first of its kind event associated with the Formula E event in Diriya last year that had a similar goal. After driving for the first time in Boston, during the period when women behind the wheel were banned in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is set to host another ePrix event in Diriya in February. Saudi Arabia hosted the event for the first time last year.

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