Formula E: ‘A game-changing moment for Saudi Arabia’
the keys to unlocking the country’s vast potential. The Kingdom is innovating too, opening up new sectors for development from tourism to technology while sport and entertainment lie at the heart of the transformation.
Q: How important an event is this for the Kingdom?
Formula E for Saudi Arabia is more than an exciting race, it is bigger than a single sporting event, its legacy reaches beyond the track into the community. This will be a festival that will unite and excite, both through the sporting action and the incredible line-up of culture and arts, entertainment and some of the world’s biggest names in music, David Guetta, OneRepublic, The Black Eyed Peas, Enrique Iglesias, Amr Diab and Jason Derulo. We want to bring fans and families from around the world together here in Ad Diriyah.
Even this venue has its own important story to tell, a place steeped in history that it makes this one of the most unique motorsport events ever staged. Ad Diriyah is a UNESCO heritage site, it’s a hidden jewel we are proud to show to the world. And fittingly, Formula E and our 10-year partnership, is a catalyst for conservation for us and for this beautiful place, once the home Saudi kings it runs deep in the country’s roots.
Q: This will be the first time Saudi Arabia has invited international fans to travel to the Kingdom, tell us more about that?
The Ad Diriyah E Prix will see fans from around the globe able to come to Saudi Arabia without restriction to watch this epic sporting and entertainment spectacle, with action on the track and global superstars performing on stage, through our new event visa platform called Sharek, with that your ticket is your visa. It is a truly game- changing moment for Saudi Arabia and it makes this welcome one of the warmest I have ever given. So far, the US holds the top spot for the largest number of visa holders, followed by to share the latest trends and business opportunities with an audience of more than 4,000 up-and- coming entrepreneurs and students and 200 start-ups.
The event was attended by Commerce Minister Majid Al- Qassabi and Saleh Al-Rasheed, governor of the General Authority of Small and Medium Enterprises ( Monsha’at), in addition to more than 300 global and regional leaders. the United Kingdom, Russia and Germany.
Q: Will this put Saudi Arabia on the global sporting map?
Saudi Arabia is now open to the world (especially through our new visa platform) and open for business. We recognize the power of sport more than ever and the potential for the nation to play an even bigger part on the world stage.
Formula E joins sporting powerhouses such as WWE, ATP Tennis and European Tour Golf who have forged long-term partnerships with the KSA as we seek to achieve our goals under Vision 2030. So, Saudi is very much making its presence known on the sporting map, and this is just the latest in a series of game- changing you can expect to see inside the Kingdom.
Q: This is the start of a long partnership with Formula E, what do you see on the horizon? The 2018 ‘Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix’ is the first in a 10-year partnership between ABB FIA Formula E Championship, the General Sports Authority of Saudi Arabia (GSA) and the Saudi Arabian Motor Federation (SAMF).