Saudi sports chief vows to stage more motor-racing events in Kingdom
Bringing more events and offering new experiences for Saudi Arabian motorsport fans is now the target of the General Sports Authority (GSA) following the weekend’s Formula E Diriyah EPrix, according to its chairman. Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki AlFaisal was speaking on Saturday at the second round of the Formula E Championship at Diriyah Circuit.
He told Arab News that the GSA had learned a lot from hosting the electric racing series in 2018, helping it to make improvements for this year’s edition.
Constant assessment of the organization of largescale events was crucial in generating memorable experiences for fans, the prince said. “I think the challenge is, last year we had the ‘wow factor’ because nothing like this had happened and people were amazed. “But this year, we no longer had that ‘wow factor,’ so then you ask, ‘what are you going to replace it with?’ You go with a better set-up around the track and you promote it better. You make sure the fan experience — from transportation to walking in, all of these things, are smoother and that it is enjoyable.
“I think every year we need to refine that to make sure their experience of Formula E is different to the last,” he added.
Carlo Boutagy, CEO of CBX, the firm responsible for constructing the Diriyah Circuit and promoter of the E-Prix, said viewing figures for the Riyadh race had grown this year.
“Last year, 38 million viewers worldwide were viewing this race specifically, and Formula E grows every year, season after season. I think we are expecting 45 million per race (this year), so with a two-day race, about 90 million viewers.”