Motorsport

FORMULA ONE have announced that there will be a Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia in November 2021.
The brand-new race will take place in the city of Jeddah, with the track to run along the banks of the Red Sea.

It has been announced that the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has been added to the 2021 calendarCredit: Saudi Arabia Tourism

The remainder of the F1 2021 schedule is expected to be revealed in the near futureCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Saudi Arabia will become the 33rd country to host a round of the Formula One World Championship when it showcases the race next year.
Jeddah will be the venue for the Grand Prix until a purpose-built track at Qiddiyah is completed, with it not expected to be ready until 2023.
F1 have announced that the final track design for the 2021 circuit is yet to be decided, though organisers want it to take place at night under the lights.
Speaking of the news, Chairman and CEO of Formula 1 Chase Carey said: “We are excited to welcome Saudi Arabia to Formula 1 for the 2021 season and welcome their announcement following speculation in recent days.

“Saudi Arabia is a country that is rapidly becoming a hub for sports and entertainment with many major events taking place there in recent years and we are very pleased that Formula 1 will be racing there from next season.
“The region is hugely important to us and with 70 per cent of the population of Saudi being under 30 we are excited about the potential to reach new fans and bring our existing fans around the world exciting racing from an incredible and historic location.
“We will be publishing our full provisional 2021 calendar in the coming weeks and this will be submitted to the World Motor Sport Council for approval.”
Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki AlFaisal Al Saud added: “Saudi Arabia is accelerating forward and the speed, energy, excitement of Formula 1 perfectly reflects the transformational journey the country is on.

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“As we’ve witnessed in recent years our people want to be at the very heart of the biggest moments in live sport and entertainment.
“And they don’t come any bigger than Formula 1.
“No matter where in the world it’s held, Formula 1 is an event that brings people together to celebrate an occasion that goes far beyond sport.
“We look forward to sharing this unique experience and sharing Jeddah with the world. For many Saudis this will be a dream come true.”
The remainder of the F1 2021 schedule is expected to be revealed in the near future.

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MERCEDES chief Toto Wolff is holding off contract talks with Lewis Hamilton amid the coronavirus pandemic and revealed their last negotiations took 10 hours.
The British F1 star dropped a bombshell last month by declaring he could quit the sport.

Lewis Hamilton will be out of contract in December and has hinted he could quit F1Credit: Getty

Merc chief Toto Wolff revealed it took 10 hours the last time they thrashed out a contractCredit: Getty

Hamilton, whose contract expires in December, made the revelation after winning the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last Sunday.
When asked by Wolff’s own uncertain future, Hamilton replied: “I don’t even know if I’m going to be here next year.”
That took some of the shine off Merc’s celebrations after they won the constructors’ title for a record seventh straight time.
Wolff has tried to play down talk of Hamilton leaving, but admitted ahead of the last race contract discussions would likely be lengthy based on how long they took last time.

He said: “The last time took 10 hours but then we had it done and we finished the day with pizza.
“So the truth is, like we’ve always said, there’s a lot of trust between us and we keep saying we’ve got to find a day but I think the championship is more important, the drivers championship.
“I completely understand that Lewis and Valtteri [Bottas] want to concentrate on that, and the constructors for us, and it kind of seems that we have to get that done and then find the time to sit down together.
“And I don’t want to contaminate either of the drivers with Covid and if you spend so much time together, you know, the worst thing would be if they miss a race or more.”

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Wolff also hinted that Hamilton’s talks may even rumble into next year before the season opener in Melbourne in the middle of March.
But Wolff, who is weighing up a new role as chairman of the Mercedes F1 team, believes he is close to agreeing new terms.
Hamilton and the rest of F1’s stars head to Istanbul next week for the Turkish Grand Prix.

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TOTO WOLFF has dismissed Lewis Hamilton’s quit threat and is confident the world champion WILL sign a new deal with Mercedes.
Hamilton, whose contract expires in December, made the startling revelation after winning the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last Sunday.

Toto Wolff believes Lewis Hamilton will continue in F1Credit: Getty

Asked by SunSport about Wolff’s own uncertain future, Hamilton replied: “I don’t even know if I’m going to be here next year.”
The revelation took the shine off Merc’s celebrations after they won the F1 constructors’ title for a record seventh time, and now Wolff has tried to play down talk of Hamilton leaving.
He said: “I think we go together in a way. We have a symbiosis and obviously it’s important where our heart is and mindset is for next year.
“But I’ve said that this is my team. I’m in a very proud corner with Mercedes and I’m not going to go anywhere.

“My role may change in the future, and it’s something that he is asked and, and I think nothing is ever secure.
“It was like Niki Lauda in the 1970′. You could wake up one morning on a Friday or Saturday morning on a track and say ‘I’m just not having fun anymore.’
“And I think that can happen to anybody, but we want to continue this journey. We are not finished. Lewis and I and all the team, we’re not finished.”
It is most unusual to see both Wolff and Hamilton wind down their respective deals, especially as Valtteri Bottas was confirmed for 2021 back in August.

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But Wolff says that the delay has been caused because they are focused on winning their respective titles.
And he hinted that Hamilton’s talks may even rumble into next year before the season opener in Melbourne in the middle of March.
But Wolff, who is weighing up a new role as chairman of the Mercedes F1 team, says he is close to agreeing new terms.
He added: “With Mercedes and I, we are pretty much clear – it’s just down to putting pen on the paper at the right moment.
“I was also concentrating on bringing these championships home and it always feels not right to spend days with lawyers, when I’m so focused on what’s happening on track.
“That this is where Lewis and I are very similar. It just didn’t feel the right opportune moment to sit down before those championships were not done.
“There will be a moment when the drivers’ championship is going to be decided, to sit down. And we have a few months before the first race happens in Australia.”
However, if Hamilton does indeed quit, it would not be the first time Mercedes and Wolff were caught cold.
Nico Rosberg made the shock decision to retire from F1 after winning the 2016 title, leaving Merc in the lurch.

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