'Why Saudi Arabia is the Best F1 Grand Prix on the Calendar'

Jeddah is Just 'Different'

Ahmed is no stranger to street circuits on the F1 calendar and believes nowhere stands out quite like Jeddah.

"Having attended the other street circuits like the Montreal and Singapore Grand Prix, each circuit obviously has its own charm. When you come to Jeddah, you understand that the circuit is different from others.

"When it comes to what to expect from entertainment specifically, such as in general admission, there's a lot to be done and seen, and not just a circuit. When it comes to the F1 weekend, the city prepares a month in advance.

"Everything is just F1 all day even the coffee shops are covered in banners, for example. You feel like, 'yes, this is the month for the Formula 1 weekend'.

"So even for those who don't watch F1, all of a sudden they become interested."

F1 Means 'So Much' to Saudi Fans

Saudi Arabia has truly embraced our sport since it first arrived on the shores of the Red Sea in 2021, Ahmed included.

"Obviously, as an F1 fan growing up watching the sport and being in love with it, when the news broke out that there will be a Saudi Arabian Grand Prix it meant a lot to me.

"My brain went through the roof thinking about hosting a race here. Since I was a kid, I was always imagining 'what if we ever had a Grand Prix?' so it meant a lot to F1 fans in Saudi."

"I will never forget that first event in Jeddah, and getting to see Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton take the win - nothing could top that for me."

The Best Seat in the House?

There are no shortage of vantage points in Jeddah - the circiut has more corners than any other in F1. So, where are the best places to watch the fastest street circuit in the world?

Ahmed has the answers.

"If you're someone who loves watching the cars up close and personal, I would say main Grandstand B is the one for you. You're basically sitting exactly in front of Turn 1 and 2, as well as the pit lane exit, so you get to see all the dive bombs in that corner!

"There's also a huge screen with the speakers, thankfully, so you're following all the action. As the cars arrive towards the first turns you get the sound of the cars down shifting and the smell of the brakes at the same time. It's a beautiful sight to see.

"If you love speed, I would say Grandstand D is the one for you where they're going through the 'S' sections for the first sector before moving into sector two."

Racing At Night is Magical

Being a night race makes total sense for Jeddah - not just for the heat experienced during the day, but because the Saudis "love the night lifestyle".

"I understand for many people in the West, it would be surprising that people are up so late but it's normal here. The night lifestyle is the best for us, obviously, given that it's cooler than during daytime.

So at nighttime you're going to see everything Jeddah has to offer, more so than in the day."

Free Practice 2, Qualifying and the race all start at 20:00 local time, making it the latest Grand Prix start on the calendar alongside Singapore and Las Vegas in 2025.

Meeting the Mercedes Squad

Wearing your favourite team's merch is one thing, wearing it while actually meeting your favourite team is quite another.

"My favourite experience was definitely last year's Grand Prix," Ahmed tells us, as he managed to secure paddock access.

"I got to see everyone, and I got to meet George Russell, plus Toto and Susie Wolff. I also spoke with Kimi Antonelli before he was even announced as a full-time driver, and I remember I told him that I was praying he was the one to get the seat. He also sent a video to a friend of mine who is a fan of his.

"I would say last year was my best experience, although the race wasn't super exciting. But the 2021 race, being the first and watching the crazy race and the qualifying on top of that, as well as Lewis winning was the cherry on top for me."