The Saudi Arabian GP is back this weekend and the race will take place this afternoon at 6 pm CET in the coastal city of Jeddah on a high-speed street circuit designed specifically for the event. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what we can expect from the race and what factors could impact its outcome.
After an eventful qualifying this is what we know:
The pole position goes for Checo Perez after placing a 1:28.265 lap time, Leclerc came second but after grid penalty he will be starting from 12 position meaning Alonso will accompany Checo on the front row followed by George Russel and Carlos Sainz.
Max Verstappen will also be starting in the midfield after having a problem with the Drive shaft during Q2. Lando Norris also had a problem with his car after touching the wall and was out in Q1. Logan Sargeant had his time removed for track limits and on his second try he had a spinoff causing a yellow flag and not being able to score a time.
The tarmac
The tarmac in the Jeddah Corniche Circuit is considerably smoother in comparison to Bahrain, which in turn results in lower tire degradation. This means that drivers are expected to be able to push harder and for longer periods without having to pit, leading to the possibility of teams implementing a one-stop strategy during the race.
The lower tire degradation and the possibility of a one-stop strategy could significantly impact the outcome of the race. Teams will have to take into consideration tire management and strategy when planning their approach to the race.
The circuit
The Saudi Arabian GP features a street circuit. Jeddah is the fastest street circuit in the calendar, the tight walls that line the circuit create a challenging environment for drivers, leaving very little room for error. Even the slightest miscalculation could have significant consequences, potentially costing a driver the race. Additionally, some corners on the circuit have low visibility, increasing the likelihood of accidents and making the possibility of a virtual safety car, safety car, or even a red flag more plausible.
Despite the challenges, the circuit is also known for its overtaking opportunities, thanks to its three consecutive DRS zones. With the intention to prevent dangerous cat-and-mouse overtaking tactics, the FIA made the decision to move the detection point for Jeddah’s third DRS zone. The new location is now after the track’s final corner, the previous location allowed the drivers to intentionally slow down to let a rival through, allowing them to enjoy the benefit of DRS on the main straight and across the finish line. This tactic was used during last year’s race by Max Verstappen in his fight with Charles Leclerc.
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Car components changes
Charles Leclerc, the Scuderia Ferrari driver, will receive a ten-grid place penalty in the race due to his third change of the control electronics (CE), this will make him take the 12 position in the grid. Other component changes will not add to the penalty. Leclerc has already made the following changes: the internal combustion engine (ICE), the motor generator unit-heat (HGU-H), and the control electronics (CE).
On the other hand, Carlos Sainz, also driving for Ferrari, will not face any penalties for his component changes. Sainz has made only one change, which is the internal combustion engine (ICE).
Lando Norris, the McLaren driver, will also avoid penalties for his component changes. He has made several changes to his car, including the internal combustion engine (ICE), the turbocharger (TC), the motor generator unit-heat (HGU-H), the motor generator unit-kinetic (MGU-K), and the exhaust system (EX).
Similarly, Checo Perez, the Red Bull Racing & Red Bull Technology driver, will not face any penalties for his component changes. He has made two changes, the energy store (ES) and the control electronics (CE).
These changes are closely monitored by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, as they can have a significant impact on a car’s performance
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Considering the various factors that are at play, todays race is expected to be a captivating and unpredictable race. The level and smoothness of the tarmac, along with the likelihood of a one-stop strategy, and the abundant opportunities for overtaking present a distinctive test for both drivers and teams. Leclerc’s penalty and Verstappen’s qualifying mishap will create an intense midfield start, with both drivers determined to regain their competitive edge. Last years podium was from by Verstappen, Leclerc and Sainz. Who will take pole position? Will Alonso take his first win since 2013? Will Verstappen and Leclerc manage to get back to the top?
