Poll: Official 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Race Thread - Jeddah Circuit - Race 2/23

[chrismscotland]

Jeddah​

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.

Schedule Information & TV Broadcast Times​

Channel 4 Highlights - Broadcast Times​

Saturday 18th March 2023 - Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying Highlights - 20:50 - 22:20
Sunday 19th March 2023 -Saudi Arabian GP Race Highlights - 22:15 - 00:45

Track Diagram & Information​

Previous Race Highlights​

• Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2021 - Highlights
• Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2022 - Highlights

Championship Standings​

To be added!

Just a reminder, but consider it a warning - can we not have any further derogatory name calling of drivers, team bosses and the like. We don't expect you to like every driver/team, but at least keep comments respectful.

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[chrismscotland]

max was cruising last race and still well clear, expect similar this weekend. think redbull have 0.5-1 second race pace in hand.

merc bringing new car to this race?

A new car? In 2 weeks? They wish!
As usual I doubt we'll see much change to the cars until the "European" season starts (If I can use that to describe Azerbaijan!)

Forgot there was a 4 week gap between Australia and Baku!

 

[chrismscotland]

I see Lewis has announced that his long tern trainer/assistant Angela is moving on after 7 years, will be odd not seeing her there!

 

[chrismscotland]

Didn't Lewis go through (maybe still has) a long Covid episode? Given how it's such a new malaise, is he perhaps looking at a trainer with specialist knowledge?

Maybe, sounds like's made the decision to move on to other things

 

[chrismscotland]

Am I the only one who thinks this is looking like a great season?

Yeah, Max is going to win it but behind that it's more open that its ever been. We're going to see incredible battles all the way back through the field.

I'd like to see some early season trouble for RBR, would be awesome to see Alonso on the top step of the podium again.

It's a good point though, the mid field looks close and the battle for 2nd, 3rd,4th looks spicy too and can only get closer as teams develop.

 

[chrismscotland]

500k is the official amount. But lets be honest it was way more than that but it was brushed under the carpet..

Evidence?

 

[chrismscotland]

Not the most exciting of races tbh but it is what it is, roll on Melbourne in a fortnight

 

[chrismscotland]

Justice is done, FIA should never have applied the penalty so late in the race.

Probably need to clear up the rule though going forward

 

[chrismscotland]

Dull race, only real thoughts are what's happened to McLaren and, what the actual was Sky's thinking having Nico as a pundit - rather have PDR back.

Agree on Rosberg, should have been binned as well.

"Still nothing compared to having technical drawings/workings of another teams car."
Or running illegal steering systems, third brake pedals etc.
All teams will push the boundaries and they will continue to do so....

If teams stopped pushing boundaries it wouldn't be the sport it is, might as well just make it a spec series like Indycar