Formula E reveals circuit for Saudi Arabia season opener

Formula E officials have revealed the circuit layout for the opening race of the series' fifth season in Al Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, set to take place on December 15.

Formula E confirmed in May it had signed a 10-year deal to race in the Ad Diriyah district of Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, acting as the opening round for the upcoming campaign that will see the series’ new Gen2 cars debut.

The circuit layout for the race was unveiled at the official launch of the event on Tuesday, with a 21-corner, 2.495km track planned to be used, subject to receiving homologation from the FIA.

Ex-Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa, who will make his Formula E debut with Venturi in Season 5, took part in a show run in the new Gen2 car at the launch event in Riyadh, which also saw Saudi Arabia’s national airline, SAUDIA, become the official airline partner for Formula E and the title partner for the race in December.

“It’s fantastic news that SAUDIA is joining the ABB FIA Formula E Championship as official airline partner ahead of the first race in Saudi Arabia and the debut of fully-electric racing in the Middle East,” Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag said.

“The partnership continues to show the appeal of Formula E on a global scale and I’m proud to welcome SAUDIA to the Formula E family as the excitement continues to build for the opening round of season five on December 15.

“When you consider Saudi Arabia is opening up to international sports fans for the first time - and we have a new partner who can connect those fans to our series - it really is a strong addition to the championship.”