Formula E In Saudi Arabia: From Diriyah To Jeddah, Champions’ Journey Continues

Saudi Arabia’s role in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship continues to expand, from Diriyah’s desert setting to Jeddah’s Red Sea coast. Multiple editions have showcased electric racing, clean energy goals, and global drivers. With the 2026 Jeddah E-Prix scheduled as Rounds four and five of season 12, expectations for the next chapter remain high.

The transition to Jeddah in 2025 marked a fresh phase for Formula E in the Kingdom. Racing shifted to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, where the tight street layout delivered close competition. Germany’s Maximilian Günther of DS Penske won Round three, while Britain’s Oliver Rowland of Nissan Formula E Team secured victory in Round four on the Red Sea shoreline.

Formula E first reached Saudi Arabia in 2018, when Diriyah hosted the opening E-Prix. The event aligned with national plans to welcome varied international sports while highlighting sustainability and clean energy. Portugal’s António Félix Da Costa, racing for BMW i Andretti Motorsport, took the inaugural win, giving the Kingdom its first ABB FIA Formula E World Championship victor on home ground.

The 2019 Diriyah E-Prix strengthened that start with a double-header weekend, again on the historic city’s streets. Britain’s Sam Bird, driving for Envision Virgin Racing, claimed the opening race. Fellow Briton Alexander Sims, competing for BMW i Andretti Motorsport, then captured the second race. The results underlined how small margins and strategy shaped every lap in the expanding ABB FIA Formula E World Championship calendar.

The global health situation halted the championship’s Saudi round in 2020, but racing returned to Diriyah in 2021 with a new feature. The circuit staged the first Formula E night race under floodlights. Dutch driver Nyck de Vries won the opening race for Mercedes-EQ Formula E Team, while Sam Bird, now with Jaguar Racing, took the second race under the lights.

The competitive trend continued in 2022 at Diriyah. Nyck de Vries repeated victory in the first race, again demonstrating consistent speed. Switzerland’s Edoardo Mortara, representing ROKiT Venturi Racing, then secured the second race. Across those two seasons, international drivers battled closely for positions, reinforcing Formula E’s status in Saudi Arabia as a key stop on the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship schedule.

The 2023 Diriyah races produced a clear standout. Germany’s Pascal Wehrlein, driving for TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team, won both races. Wehrlein became the first driver to secure consecutive victories on the Saudi track, combining strong pace with precise race management. Those results added another milestone to the Kingdom’s ABB FIA Formula E World Championship story.

Diriyah hosted its sixth Formula E event in 2024, again drawing a strong field. Britain’s Jake Dennis of Andretti Formula E triumphed in the first race. New Zealand’s Nick Cassidy, representing Jaguar TCS Racing, captured the second race. As preparations continue for the 2026 Jeddah E-Prix, Saudi Arabia’s record of hosting multiple ABB FIA Formula E World Championship rounds appears firmly established.

With inputs from SPA