F1 2023: Saudi Arabian GP - Jeddah (Mar 19)

[NYG]

F1 2023: Saudi Arabian GP - Jeddah (Mar 19)

When was the track built?

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is, you won’t be surprised to hear, a temporary street circuit (albeit adorned with some permanent sections), located on the Corniche – a 30km coastal resort area of the ancient Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. Designed by the Tilke company, in conjunction with Formula 1’s own Motorsports team – who used Google Earth for their initial investigations into potential layouts – F1’s Ross Brawn said of the track: “What we want to see is a race circuit. We don’t want Mickey Mouse circuits. We don’t want those old classic street circuits with 90 degree turns. We want fast sweeping circuits, circuits which are going to challenge the drivers – and they are going to love it.”

When was its first Grand Prix?

The inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix took place in 2021, the race joining its Middle Eastern counterparts in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi – while like those races, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix also takes place under floodlights.

What's the circuit like?

Fast. Very fast. Average speeds around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit are around 250km/h – quicker than those at Silverstone, and second on the 2021 calendar only to Monza – aka ‘The Temple of Speed’. It is, quite simply, the fastest street circuit ever seen in Formula 1 – while the track also features the most corners on the calendar with 27, many of them quick, sinuous bends as the drivers wend their way along the Jeddah waterfront.

Why go?

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix promises a sun-soaked festival of Formula 1, located on an idyllic stretch of the Kingdom’s coastline. The on-track action is stunning, as the drivers get to grips with this rapid street track, while Jeddah itself comes alive as the city revels in hosting the F1 circus.

Where is the best place to watch?

The average speeds around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit are such that any grandstand provides a spectacular viewing location. Nonetheless, the gladiatorial splendour of the grandstand surrounding the banked Turn 13 corner makes for a very special spot for F1 fans.

https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2...a/Circuit.html

2022 race highlights:

2022 thread:
https://f87.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1908327

[NYG]

Some big questions to answer this race.

Is Aston Martin legit? If they can fight Ferrari and Merc on this track then they have truly advanced to the front of the grid.

Can Ferrari's new aero revisions to gain efficiency (reduce drag) show that they are capable of fighting Red Bull?

I actually predict that Ferrari will rise and Aston will fall a bit in this race.

My prediction for this podium is:

1. LEC
2. VER
3. PER

[NYG]

Toto Wolf - "Red Bull wins every race this year"

https://www.oe24.at/sport/motorsport...nnen/547909528

[M5Rick]

I don't know, I can't see Ferrari bouncing back that quick, there was nothing wrong with Sainz's car and Chas is probably on grid drop with a third new ES.
I'll go
1. Max
2.Checo
3. Fernando.

[Marcoose]

Verstappen will win again by a mile. Red Bull are just too good for the competition. And it’s always the car, amirite ?

[Autobacs]

RB got this.

It will be interesting to see how Mercedes, Ferrari, and AM sort out among each other.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by Marcoose

Verstappen will win again by a mile. Red Bull are just too good for the competition. And it’s always the car, amirite ?

Ferrari has made significant improvements in straight line speed though.

Given that they aren't hampered by tire deg at Jeddah or reliability issues, I think they have a chance.

[M5Rick]

I've been reading tester Marc Gene's account of what went wrong with Leclerc's car and he now puts it down to the batteries that were changed (what hasn't) which was caused by a fault in the actual metal combustion engine, confused? So am I.
https://racingnews365.com/ferrari-su...lem-in-bahrain

[M5Rick]

Very bad news in is that FIA President Ben Sulayem's son has been killed in a car collision, there are no more details of what happened at this time.
https://racingnews365.com

[TTM0TION]

Originally Posted by NYG

Toto Wolf - "Red Bull wins every race this year"

https://www.oe24.at/sport/motorsport...nnen/547909528

Could it be the year someone goes the distance and with so many races!? I actually don't know if I mind it as long as the rest of the battles are as up and down as Bahrain.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

Very bad news in is that FIA President Ben Sulayem's son has been killed in a car collision, there are no more details of what happened at this time.
https://racingnews365.com

Wow, extremely tragic.

[GuidoK]

My prediction:

1. VER
2. LEC
3. PER
4. ALO
5. SAI
6. RUS
7. STR
8. HAM
9. HULK
10. BOT

It will be interesting to see what Ferrari can do on this fast circuit, as they had very good top speed in Bahrain.
However RB had better cornering, so they can still dial back the downforce.
And the big question...how good is AMR here?

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by Marcoose

And it’s always the car, amirite ?

Last year Ferrari sure proved the opposite.
First rule of winning races: don't f#ck up
It's the car, having a very good driver and don't make mistakes the competition also doesn't make.

[NYG]

Ferrari head of aerodynamics has just resigned. Killed by Death

https://www.formu1a.uno/terremoto-fe...le-dimissioni/

Pasta la vista.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by NYG

Ferrari head of aerodynamics has just resigned. Killed by Death

https://www.formu1a.uno/terremoto-fe...le-dimissioni/

Pasta la vista.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Toto: ''I need to fire myself'' Go ahead bro

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by NYG

Ferrari head of aerodynamics has just resigned. Killed by Death

https://www.formu1a.uno/terremoto-fe...le-dimissioni/

Pasta la vista.

All very sudden after the first race, was he pushed maybe.

[NYG]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

All very sudden after the first race, was he pushed maybe.

Same way Binotto "resigned" I guess?

[Killed by Death]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

All very sudden after the first race, was he pushed maybe.

Definitely a scapegoat situation

Ferrari should accept no one outsmarts Adrian Newey. Especially a bunch of nudnik spaghetti eaters. Be like Aston Martin, copy Red Bull aerodynamics to the best of your abilities. Shouldn't be hard with all the show and tell that happens now.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by Killed by Death

Definitely a scapegoat situation

Ferrari should accept no one outsmarts Adrian Newey. Especially a bunch of nudnik spaghetti eaters. Be like Aston Martin, copy Red Bull aerodynamics to the best of your abilities. Shouldn't be hard with all the show and tell that happens now.

No wonder they call it the green Red Bull

[NickyC]

Newey is the GOAT, what a mind.

I'm just praying this is a safe race and everyone gets out OK, this track is stupid dangerous.

[jsf721]

I predict

Max
Cheko
Lec