Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023Formula 1

[Jimlaad43]

2023 kicked off 2 weeks ago in Bahrain as Red Bull layed down a strong marker of their intentions for the upcoming season. Aston Martin proved to be a real threat and have jumped up into the front runners, so can Alonso and Stroll keep up that momentum at Jeddah? The circuit is known as the fastest street circuit, as the proliferation of more high speed corners than a Singapore Grand Prix, these high speed corners keep up average speeds. This will be a very different challenge to the massive braking points of Sakhir. Who will come out on top here? Will the reprofiled corners make this track a bit less obviously-unsafe, and can we avoid another missile strike? Let's find out at the SPORTSWASHING SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX!

First Grand Prix
2021

Number of Laps
50

Circuit Length
6.174km

Race Distance
308.45 km

Lap Record
1:30.734
Lewis Hamilton (2021)​

 

[Blitz24]

Ferrari doing Ferrari things:

 

[LordExia]

Not the best start of the season for Leclerc. Certainly very different to last year. And if that problem persist he'll probably get even more penalty down the road too. Let's see how they do this weekend.

 

[LordExia]

Anyone has any "fun" predictions for this race besides Max taking pole and winning the race?

 

[Dennisch]

Possible Mercedes 1-2.

You've heard it here first.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Possible Mercedes 1-2.

You've heard it here first.

Actually wouldn't surprise me that one. They are rear limited and that's irrelevant really for this circuit (bar the final turn),

 

[Roo]

Ferrari doing Ferrari things:

I'd suggest throwing new power unit bits at it, winding them up to 11 and starting last every race, but I guess that would just burn the rear tyres off it more quickly...

 

[LordExia]

Actually wouldn't surprise me that one. They are rear limited and that's irrelevant really for this circuit (bar the final turn),

If they are rear limited doesn't that mean they won't really perform all that well anywhere? You need the rear at every track to get good exits out of corners unless the track has no corners....while the corners at Jeddah are basically no existent since they are so fast, I feel like you'd still need a good rear to make sure the car is planted, no?

 

[XJ40]

I think Magnussen might do well here, and perhaps Norris.

 

[MagpieRacer]

If they are rear limited doesn't that mean they won't really perform all that well anywhere? You need the rear at every track to get good exits out of corners unless the track has no corners....while the corners at Jeddah are basically no existent since they are so fast, I feel like you'd still need a good rear to make sure the car is planted, no?

Not at high speed tracks, the effect should be negated at speed, if it's got a good front end (which it seems to) then they may get away with it here. Turn 1 and the final turn will be their biggest time loss.

Of course, I'm not an F1 engineer and could be talking bull, but it makes sense to me.

 

[Liquid]

Anyone has any "fun" predictions for this race besides Max taking pole and winning the race?

 

[MagpieRacer]

Anyone has any "fun" predictions for this race besides Max taking pole and winning the race?

Stroll win.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Alonso will win comfortably.

 

[toastet]

There will be a big crash one day with this snoozing around the track while others go full throttle.

 

[LordExia]

Once again, Merc looks like they are nowhere. Ferrari still doing Ferrari thing...I guess....I know it's only FP2 but this looks like it could be another podium for Alonso with Max and Checo comfortably 1-2 again.

 

[Jezza819]

Franz Tost is not kidding around.

Tost: I don’t trust AlphaTauri engineers after underperforming F1 car

www.motorsport.com

 

[MagpieRacer]

Franz Tost is not kidding around.

Tost: I don’t trust AlphaTauri engineers after underperforming F1 car

www.motorsport.com

Franz Tost: "the rumours of selling/moving the team are untrue"

Also Franz Tost: "car doesn't brake, turn or go, my engineers are liars"

Sounds like a team in absolute behind the scenes turmoil to be honest.

 

[breyzipp]

As always I’m rooting for Alonso and want him to place as high as possible. If the times of FP 1&2 are an indication, the Aston seems to perform better than I expected.

Looking forward to qualifying and then the race tomorrow! 😎

 

[Famine]

In FP3 the gap from Verstappen (1) to Perez (2) is larger than the gap from Perez (2) to Gasly (9), and the gap from Verstappen (1) to Alonso (3) is larger than the gap from Alonso (3) to Bottas (18).

 

[TumeK5]

In FP3 the gap from Verstappen (1) to Perez (2) is larger than the gap from Perez (2) to Gasly (9), and the gap from Verstappen (1) to Alonso (3) is larger than the gap from Alonso (3) to Bottas (18).

So what you're trying to say is...Verstappen is fast?

 

[DG_Silva]

Not just that, but it's incredibly tight in the midfield.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I'm also confused about the Logan track limits lap deletion. How can you exceed the limits on the last turn.

 

[PaMu1337]

I'm also confused about the Logan track limits lap deletion. How can you exceed the limits on the last turn.

It was for crossing the colored part at the pit entry.

Shame though, that lap was magical

 

[PaMu1337]

Ooh Max having engine issues!

 

[Famine]

 

[PaMu1337]

So now Verstappen can win while having to put in at least a bit of effort

 

[MagpieRacer]

Yep, Max out. Perez Vs Alonso for pole surely now.

 

[Famine]

Yeah, I mean he's still winning the race, even if Perez is half a mile down the road at half distance.

 

[MSZ]

That makes tomorrow's race more watchable.

 

[PaMu1337]

This may become Alonsos best chance to win a race