Tomorrow, Friday, the eyes of electric motorsport fans will turn to Saudi Arabia, where the fourth and fifth rounds of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship will kick off in the twelfth season of the championship for 2026. The historic Diriyah circuit, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will host this major global event over two days, in a race known as the “Diriyah E-Prix 2026”, organized by the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport.
Historical background and long-standing partnership
The Kingdom's hosting of Formula E races for the eighth consecutive time reaffirms the successful strategic partnership between Saudi Arabia and this leading sport. Since the inaugural race in Diriyah in 2018, the first of its kind in the Middle East, the Kingdom has become a key and consistent stop on the global championship calendar. The Diriyah rounds are unique in that they are night races held under floodlights, adding a special element of excitement and highlighting the beauty of the historic site.
The importance of the event and its impact within the framework of Vision 2030
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Minister of Sport and President of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, affirmed that this continued hosting reflects the unlimited support the sports sector receives from the wise leadership, which has made the Kingdom a global destination for major sporting events. His Highness added: “Holding the Formula E races in Diriyah supports the Kingdom’s efforts to promote clean and sustainable energy, and opens broad horizons for empowering the nation’s young men and women through organizing international events. Furthermore, it contributes to increasing sports tourism and attracting fans from all over the world, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.”.
Intense competition in the ring
The race features a stellar lineup of international drivers representing leading teams and manufacturers in the automotive world, including Jaguar, Porsche, Nissan, and DS Penske. The drivers will compete in the state-of-the-art Gen3 cars, the fastest and most efficient in the championship's history. After the first three rounds in global cities such as São Paulo, Mexico City, and Miami, New Zealand's Nick Cassidy currently leads the overall standings, ahead of his rivals, Germany's Pascal Wehrlein and Britain's Jake Dennis, promising a fierce competition at the challenging and technically demanding Diriyah circuit.
Hosting this event will enhance the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for motorsport, alongside its hosting of the Formula 1 Saudi Grand Prix and the Dakar Rally, highlighting its tremendous organizational capabilities and its community’s passion for the sport, and contributing to building a sustainable and prosperous future.
