The Saudi Automobile & Motorcycle Federation (SAMF) – Promoter of the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – has outlined the steps it has taken to date, alongside its future plans, to ensure that the Jeddah Corniche Circuit becomes one of the most sustainable venues on the Formula 1 calendar.
In doing so, it echoes the ambitious sustainability strategy Formula 1 announced in 2019, which aims to ensure all F1 events are sustainable by 2025.
The 6.175km, 27-Turn Jeddah Corniche Circuit is already set to become the world’s newest, fastest and longest street circuit when it makes its official F1 debut December 3-5. Over and above its spectacular racing potential, the circuit is also proving itself to be an entire sustainability project in its own right.
Before the construction of the circuit and its adjacent infrastructure could even begin, an extensive clean-up and regeneration of the whole lagoon - on which large parts of the track are situated - had to be instigated.
The lagoon regeneration project was divided in two stages. The first started in May 2021, covering a land reclamation area of 20,025sq-m, while the second stage covering an area of 3,000sq-m2 was completed in late October.
The process included the removal of algae and waste and the subsequent installation of a system to purify and treat the water to prevent the future formation and accumulation of algae.
Furthermore, 162.814 tons of sludge and debris were dredged from the lagoon and divided into separate stocks, with the former treated and recycled while the latter was safely and responsibly disposed of.
The final stage of cleaning involved a process called Bioremediation, which uses micro-organisms or other forms of life to reduce pollution through the biological degradation of pollutants into non-toxic substances.
The project will be an ongoing concern that will continue well beyond the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
During the race all unconsumed food and beverages will go to the Saudi Food Bank charity for distribution to those in need.
To avoid further waste, recycling bins will be provided in the fan zones, where waste can be separated. A number of additional sustainability activations and initiatives for the race are in their final planning stages.
