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About the location
After the season opener in Bahrain two weeks ago, the Formula 1 circus moves to neighboring Saudi Arabia, where the Jeddah Corniche Circuit is ready on the banks of the Red Sea. It will only be Saudi Arabia’s third Grand Prix, but if the previous two editions are a good indication, this weekend’s evening race will definitely not disappoint.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is still quite new, but has already made a name for itself as the fastest street circuit in the world. The fastest drivers will reach an average speed of more than 250 kilometers in qualifying. Even by Formula 1 standards, that’s terrifyingly fast, especially when the walls are always as close as they are on this track. After the first edition in 2021, some walls have therefore already been moved up, so that a number of blind bends are more visible – and this is the case again this year.
The port city of Jeddah circuit offers some good overtaking opportunities, the most important of which are in the first and last corner. There is a DRS zone for both corners. There is also a third DRS zone that runs from Turns 19 to 22. (Read more below the photo)
© REUTERS
The weather forecast
Since we are still in the Middle East, you may already be able to fill in the weather forecast yourself. Clear skies are expected all weekend long: at the time of the race, when the sun has already set, temperatures will hover around 25 degrees.
The Formula 1 program (Belgian time)
Friday March 17
2.30 pm – 3.30 pm: first free practice
18.00 -19.00: second free practice
Saturday March 18
2.30-3.30 pm: third free practice
6 p.m.: qualifying
Sunday March 19
6 p.m.: Racing
(Read more below the photo)
Last year Max Verstappen had to chase Charles Leclerc in Jeddah for a long time. — © AFP
Our forecast
Just like last year, our Formula 1 watcher Gert Vermersch and reporter Sam Varewyck give their expected top three for each race. This year they will be joined by two voices from the PlaySports podcast The Paddock during their predictions: Dennis Xhaët and racing driver Sam Dejonghe will also take a chance every weekend.
This weekend, Gert is aiming for a victory for Ferrari after their disappointing season opener. A risky bet? Time will tell. Our three other voters unanimously agree on their top three.
Prognosis Gert Vermersch
1) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
2) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
3) Carlos Sainz Jr. (Ferrari)
Prognosis Sam Varewyck
1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3) Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
Prediction The Paddock-stem Dennis Xhaët
1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3) Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
Forecast The Paddock stem Sam Dejonghe
1) Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
2) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3) Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
That’s how it went last year
The second Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia did not disappoint last year. There was already a sensation in qualifying when Sergio Pérez finally took his first ever pole position on his 215th attempt, a record. In the race, just like in the season opener, there was a very exciting battle for victory between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. In the end, it was Verstappen who made the decisive overtaking maneuver four laps from the end and won the race ahead of Leclerc and his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz Jr.
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(Not so) nice to know
The choice to organize a Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia has come under criticism for Formula 1 several times, but never worse than on the Friday of the race weekend last year. After all, an oil depot less than 20 kilometers from the circuit was hit by a rocket attack (!) while the first free practice was in full swing. An attack by Houthi rebels, it turns out.
The safety of the event is openly questioned. The discussions continue well past midnight, but eventually all riders agree to ‘normal’ ride for the rest of the weekend. And so the show goes on.