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Formula E racing kicked off last weekend with a huge month of sport for Saudi Arabia as the SAUDIA Diriyah E-Prix’s first races were held in Riyadh.
The double header which marked the start of the FIA ABB Formula E Championship saw two days of dramatic Formula E racing on the Diriyah Circuit, making motorsport history with the biggest line-up of drivers and cars in the sport’s history.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, speaking after attending the second edition of the Diriyah E-Prix, along with Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, praised the success of the race.
The Crown Prince congratulated Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the success of the race.
He highlighted that the region has an extensive motorsport fan base and, as a host of prestigious races, is a leading destination in the international motorsport calendar.
He commended Saudi Arabia for its role in advancing the motorsport industry in the Middle East.
The Crown Prince expressed his pleasure in attending the first race of the 6th season of the Formula E championship, noting the unique historical features of the Diriyah Circuit make for a challenging racetrack and exciting races, which entertain sporting fans around the world.
He praised Bahrain’s F1 stewards, who have successfully provided on the ground support to many regional and international motorsport events.
The Crown Prince highlighted the joint effort between the Bahrain Motor Federation and the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation ahead of and during the 2019-2020 Formula E Championship season.
The Crown Prince also noted that this collaborative relationship is a further example of the close co-operation between the two kingdoms across various sectors.
His Majesty’s representative for charity work and youth affairs, National Security Adviser and Supreme Council for Youth and Sports chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, along with Shaikh Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, accompanied the Crown Prince to the race.
Last year was a watershed moment with the first unsegregated concerts, and this year, there is more planned with the Diriyah music festival, as Saudi Arabia welcomes back Pitbull, supported by reggae legend Shaggy and Don Omar. Then on November 30, rap stars Lil Wayne, Tyga and Future perform, with DJ Scott Forshaw playing both nights.
Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud, Chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA) of Saudi Arabia, said: “The SAUDIA Diriyah E-Prix has given us an epic start to the Diriyah Season. We’ve watched thrilling Formula E racing on the Diriyah Circuit with thousands of fans across two days. Add to that the incredible scenes we witnessed at last night’s after race concert with 40,000 fans flocking to watch the acts. Of course, we can expect more inspiring and exciting moments as the Diriyah Season unfolds.”
