Piastri wins in Jeddah

Oscar Piastri won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah on April 20, taking McLaren’s first victory at the circuit and moving into the Formula 1 championship lead. (formula1.com) Formula 1 said Piastri beat Max Verstappen after the Red Bull driver was given a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage in their first-lap fight. Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari, while Lando Norris recovered from 10th on the grid to fourth. (formula1.com 1) (formula1.com 2) The race weekend also fed into a wider tourism push. Arab News, citing Saudi tourism officials, reported hotel spending hit about $76.8 million in a single week as Formula 1 returned to Jeddah from April 18 to 20 and concerts drew additional visitors. (arabnews.com) Saudi Arabia has used the Jeddah race as part of a larger strategy to turn major sports events into visitor traffic and non-oil spending. The Grand Prix sits alongside concerts and seasonal festivals that the kingdom has promoted through its tourism and entertainment agenda. (arabnews.com) Jeddah’s place on the calendar may not be permanent. Formula 1 and Saudi officials have already laid out plans for a new venue at Qiddiya City near Riyadh, where the Qiddiya Speed Park Track is under construction. (spa.gov.sa) (speedcafe.com) The new circuit is designed around a dramatic elevated section called “The Blade,” with Qiddiya saying the track will have 21 corners, elevation changes of more than 100 meters and room for several racing layouts. Saudi Press Agency said the project is intended to host Formula 1, MotoGP and other top series. (spa.gov.sa) That leaves Jeddah in an in-between moment: it just delivered one of the season’s most important results, while the country builds a replacement meant to become its long-term Formula 1 home. (formula1.com) (spa.gov.sa)