The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix made its debut in the Formula 1 calendar just last season and despite being appreciated for its high speed, the Jeddah circuit had raised quite a few safety concerns back in December.

The race was rather eventful, with five drivers forced to retire before the chequered flag due to collisions, including a restart crash that took out George Russell and Nikita Mazepin. A collision which highlighted the fact that following a crash, drivers coming in have no time to react nor enough space to avoid other cars.

Safety concerns were raised from different parts in the weeks before the GP and in the aftermath George Russell, Director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, had pointed out how such a fast and narrow track was “a recipe for disaster”.

Formula 1 will be back in Jeddah at the end of March for the second race of the 2022 season, which leaves very little time for the organisers to implement the necessary changes. Another race against time after the circuit was ultimated barely on time for the inaugural Grand Prix.

“The length of time between the two races has enabled us to reflect on some aspects that did and didn’t work,” said Martin Whitaker, CEO of the Saudi Motorsport Company.

“And we have been striving to improve on some areas for our second event.”

In the crashes that occurred on the inaugural race it was quite clear that the track was lacking visibility around the corners, something that should be improved with the new layout.

“Firstly, there are going to be one or two slight changes to the track. These tweaks are directly related to a drivers’ sightline from the cockpit. It’s minimal work, but it will help improve forward visibility in a couple of corners,” he explained.

“Secondly, we will make some small modifications to the barriers that will favour the lines the drivers take around the course.”

Organisers are “planning on shifting some of the angles of the grandstands to improve visibility” and also looking for ways to improve traffic management inside and outside of the track.

The area just outside the paddock is very close to the road, making it dangerous for personnel to walk among the traffic of the city, not to mention the logistical problems caused by the very limited number of of access points available.

“We had to get the whole facility ready in a short space of time, but now with this small gap to our second race we are better placed to understand our limitations,” said Whitaker.

Changes, however, are not so easy to make, given the particular location in which the circuit was laid out.

“Because of our location, we can’t change too much because the track is positioned on a narrow strip of land next to the sea, but we are certainly looking at the circuit’s entrance and exit.”

“Due to the confines of the track’s location traffic management was an issue and there were characteristics of the road system that created unnecessary delays.”

“There are lessons we have learnt, and we have the time now to get these aspects resolved to make sure everyone who returns will have an equally good, if not better, experience.”

Formula 1 cars, however, aren’t set to race around Jeddah for long, as they will be moving to another circuit that is under construction near Riyadh.

“The most important thing is that the long-term future of a race in Saudi Arabia is secure,” said Whitaker.

“The construction of Qiddiya near Riyadh is ongoing but the focus is very much on Jeddah at the moment and about maximising the opportunities on this fantastic circuit.”