The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (Arabic: جائزة السعودية الكبرى) is a Formula One motor racing event which took place for the first time in 2021.

[1] In August 2019, plans for a permanent motorsports complex to be built in the city of Qiddiya near the Saudi capital of Riyadh were made public.

[10][11] The Grand Prix has received criticism from Amnesty International on the grounds of human rights in Saudi Arabia, which is a totalitarian state.

[14] In February 2021, 45 human rights organizations called on Lewis Hamilton to boycott the Grand Prix, citing among other factors Saudi Arabia's role in the Yemeni Civil War and the assassination of The Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

[15][16] Saudi Arabia has denied the Grand Prix was being used for sportswashing, arguing that the race forms part of the country's efforts to open itself up to the outside world.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels carried out a missile attack on an Aramco oil depot (approximately 16 kilometres (10 miles) from the circuit), causing an explosion, during the first of two practice sessions.

The authoritarian regime was criticised for its continued repression of dissidents, particularly in light of the mass execution of 81 people two weeks before the race.

[26][27] In Formula One, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix race and qualifying are both held during the night, under the lights where the temperatures are substantially cooler than the day.