So it looks like another ‘Tilkedrome’ might be on its way to Formula 1 in the near-ish future.
Hermann Tilke is the architect behind the new Qiddiya Speed Park track, currently under construction in Saudi Arabia, which aims to host the country’s annual F1 event from 2028 onwards.
There’s no denying there are some eye-catching elements, not least ‘The Blade’ – the name given to the first corner which will stretch up 20 storeys in the air for no apparent reason other than: It’ll look cool.
Maybe so, but if it’s anything like the rest of Tilke’s creations then it will probably end up being another soulless flat-pack track.
Let’s look at his record: Of the current F1 circuits, he designed the tracks in Bahrain, Shanghai, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, Austin, Baku, Jeddah and Las Vegas.
Other circuits he designed which were previously used in F1, but not any more, include Malaysia, South Korea, India, Istanbul Park and Sochi in Russia. He also renovated the Red Bull Ring in the 1990s and Barcelona in 2007.
Of all the above, how many are actually thrilling tracks? The Circuit of the Americas in Austin is brilliant and Shanghai isn’t bad. The rest? Largely unmemorable.
And the funny thing about ‘The Blade’ is that it looks to be a rip off of turn one at COTA, which also rises dramatically uphill before a tight left-hander.
So forgive me if I’m not going to get too excited about the Qiddiya track just because there’s loads of flashing lights and a big gimmicky main corner.