Formula 1, the Dakar rally, Formula-E or Extreme E have already fallen into the arms of Saudi Arabia’s petrodollars and the next motor sport that is negotiating to stop its calendar is MotoGP. Dorna Sports and Saudi Motorsport Company (SMC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining their shared goals.
The new MotoGP event in Saudi Arabia will be held on a newly built multi-purpose circuit, which is homologated by the FIM and FIA, and for now there is no scheduled date. The signing was carried out this Sunday at the San Marino Grand Prix by Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Al Abdullah Al-Faisal, President of the Saudi Federation of Automobile and Motorcycle Racing and the Saudi Motorsport Company, and by Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna.
The collaboration initiative follows a similar line followed by Qatar, in addition to hosting a Grand Prix on a newly created circuit, the Losail International Circuit, a new talent development program has been established for young drivers, although it now bears a very good name. of ‘Road to MotoGP’.
“As the world’s leading circuit two-wheel racing championship, we are delighted with this opportunity for MotoGP to expand its reach in the Middle East by adding the annual Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia. The region is a key market for motorsport and the Kingdom’s growing demand for these types of events with a study showing that 80% of Saudi fans want to see more of their country. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has shown the ability organize major motorsport events in the world at the highest level,” Carmelo Ezpeleta said in the statement.
The Formula E Diriyah ePrix was the first to reach Saudi lands, the Dakar Rally followed in its footsteps in 2020 and from 2021 they have landed Extreme E, the electric off-road competition, and the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Attacks in 2022
Unfortunately this 2022, two of these sports competitions have been involved in attacks. In the last rally of the Dakar, the body of French driver Philippe Boutron’s support car he exploded on December 30 shortly before starting in Jeddah and sustained extensive leg injuries. A day later, in the same city, there was another attack on the aid truck of Franco-Italian pilot Camélia Liparoti.
During this year’s FP1 celebration at the F1 Saudi Arabian GP, another attack took place against Saudi Aramco facilities, the state oil company of Saudi Arabia which is also a global sponsor of Formula 1. It was a missile attack by the Houthis, an ultra-religious rebel group from Yemen with which the Saudi regime is in dispute.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
