Jeddah Corniche Circuit gets new layout with Formula E poised to debut in Saudi city
JEDDAH: Drivers will compete on a revised version of the record-breaking Jeddah Corniche Circuit in a double-header weekend when the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship comes to Saudi Arabia this weekend.
For the latest updates, follow us @ArabNewsSport
After six successful seasons in Diriyah, the all-electric racing series will now compete on a specially adapted layout of the circuit, the fastest in the world, as the championship moves to Jeddah for the first time on Feb. 14-15.
The newly modified three kilometer track will have 19 corners, offering a new challenge for drivers and teams as they navigate high-speed turns along the Red Sea coastline.
The Jeddah E-Prix's circuit layout has been tailored exclusively for Formula E, featuring four new chicanes placed to enhance overtaking and show off the agility of the electric vehicles.
The track diverges from the traditional Formula 1 route just before Turn 4, before rejoining at the Turn 21/22 section. Two additional chicane complexes have been installed between Turns 25 and 26, leading into the final corner and on to the pit straight.
These modifications were completed in just 30 days, with a dedicated 120-member team working around the clock to transform the circuit.
'Delivering a brand-new track layout at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in just 30 days was an immense challenge, but one that our dedicated team of 120 track specialists tackled with incredible skill and determination,' said Angus Miller, senior track and overlay manager at Formula E.
Samer Issa-El-Khoury, managing partner of CBX, the promoter of the Jeddah E-Prix, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the project.
'Thanks to the joint efforts of CBX, the Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation, and Formula E, we have adapted the Jeddah Corniche Circuit to create a track that will deliver thrilling electric racing for fans and drivers alike,' he said.
Formula E will also introduce Pit Boost, an innovative mid-race feature, at Jeddah's opening race.
This new strategy element grants drivers a 10 percent energy increase (3.85kWh) via a 30-second, 600kW ultra-fast energy boost in the pitlane. The feature is designed to shake up race tactics.
Saudi Arabia is a key destination on the championship's calendar, and the move to Jeddah aligns with its Vision 2030 strategy to develop world-class sporting events throughout the Kingdom.
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