Saudi Arabia hints at one day buying an F1 team

Saudi Arabia is open to buying a Formula 1 team as Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal has admitted it is something he would like to see in the future.

The Middle Eastern country has invested heavily in motorsport partnerships in recent years with Aramco and Maaden both sponsors of the Aston Martin F1 team and the Public Investment Fund working with Formula E.

This weekend sees F1 return to Jeddah, where there will also no doubt be plenty of talk over the track currently under construction in the new city of Qiddiya, which is expected to take over running of Saudi Arabia’s grand prix once operational.

But now the very real prospect of a Saudi-owned team could see the nation move even deeper into investing in F1, with Prince Khalid keen on the idea in principle – even if he concedes it could be a “difficult” step.

“There is a space available,” he replied when the notion of a Saudi – or PIF-led – squad was put to him on a recent call with reporters, including Autosport.

“There are only 11 out of 12 and also potentially one or two teams that might be for sale in the future. I mean, it could happen.

“If you see the growth, first of all. If you’re going to buy a Formula 1 team, then people will buy it to make money out of it, especially if it’s going to be bought by one of the PIF companies.

“So we see there is a lot of Formula 1 now reaching new markets, the sales are globally increasing, and we saw the partnership with Aramco and Aston Martin.

“All directions say that maybe soon Saudi can, if they see if it’s feasible, if it makes sense, then why not? Nobody dislikes making money. So if you can make money out of Formula 1 – I think it’s very tricky. You need to know exactly which team to buy and who to partner with and who will manage this.

“The decision is very difficult. It’s not easy to say which team to buy and how you’re going to manage it. But we have a lot of interest; we’re hosting Formula 1, sponsoring teams. So I wouldn’t be surprised if we see an announcement for a Saudi team and personally, I would like to see a Saudi team.

“But if I’m in Saudi Arabia or one of the Saudi companies will be involved in one of the teams, I would like them, I mean, to do it the right way and be successful. So it’s a tricky question, but why not?”

Prince Khalid also spoke about Saudi Arabia’s position on the F1 calendar, having hosted the second race last year following on from the season-opener in Bahrain. The two grands prix were moved to the third and fourth spots this time around so as not to clash with Ramadan.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB20, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-24, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB20, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin AMR24, Oscar Piastri, McLaren MCL38, the rest of the field at the start

Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images

The 2026 calendar has yet to be signed off and made public, but Saudi would be keen to eventually become the first round of the championship, bringing greater exposure and esteem to the race.

“This is something that we would like to have,” said Prince Khalid. “But I know that Formula 1, they have commitments.

“For them, maybe sometimes it’s easier for Bahrain to be the opening season because of the testing. So there’s a lot of things that you consider. But for us, we would like to have the first race.

“It’s the weather. We have a very short gap. Either it’s going to be at the end of the season, which some people don’t like it to be at the end of. If it’s in the middle of the season, it’s too hot.

“So that’s why we decided…and we know that Qatar and Abu Dhabi, they are at the end of the season.

“So the only option we have is with Bahrain and for us, we are fine (with that). We like to be at the beginning of the season. Next year, ideally for us, is in the beginning of the season. Maybe race one or race two. That’s the ideal situation for us and our weather here.

“Even in terms of sales, for us here in Saudi, the beginning of the season, it’s better for us. People are more excited. As I said, domination doesn’t help the championship, but hopefully things will change this year and next year.”