Grosjean backing ‘extraordinary’ Saudi plans

Haas’ Romain Grosjean hopes the proposed Saudi Arabian Grand Prix goes ahead, calling the project “extraordinary”.

The city of Qiddiya would host the event, with the track forming part of a new entertainment and commercial project just outside Riyadh, the country’s capital.

None other than former F1 driver Alexander Wurz is the one in charge of designing the circuit, with 2023 being the season when it could debut on the F1 calendar.

Grosjean attended the launch event at the proposed site of the track alongside Nico Hulkenberg, Damon Hill and David Coulthard.

F1 already has 22 races on its schedule and few are backing an increase, but it’s safe to say Grosjean would happily add Saudi Arabia to the mix.

“I sincerely hope that the project will go ahead and that it will progress as it should,” Grosjean told Motorsport.com.

“The track Alex has designed is great. He knows what we like and what we don’t like. He’s lucky to have this close relationship with us, he comes to ask us questions.

“For example, we drove around in the simulator and there’s a corner he’s not sure about. I said: “About this one, I don’t know!” And he said he didn’t really know what to do with that corner. It’s great to talk about it, to share our opinions.

“Overall, the project is huge, super beautiful, and the place is extraordinary. I really hope there will be a grand prix.”

Grosjean is a director for the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association, and he stressed how important it is that drivers have been allowed to give their input regarding the design of this track.

“We are the ones who are on the tracks, the ones who know what is good or not for overtaking and for the fun of it,” he said.

“When you look at golf, as soon as a new course is built, you go straight to a golf player to get his opinion. That’s not something that’s been done in Formula 1.”

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