[Scarlet_Rider]

F1 returns to the fastest street circuit on the calendar. This circuit has the most number of turns than any other on the current calendar: 27!

Would love to see Alonso continue his momentum and get another podium.

Timings (IST)

BHPian Akshay6988 had mentioned in the 2021 thread that the track reminds us of this! Link: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intl-...ml#post5208538 (Formula 1 | STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2021 | Jeddah Corniche Circuit | 03 - 05 December, 2021)

Details of the track from Formula1.com

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.

Sources:
https://www.formula1.com/en/racing/2...a/Circuit.html
https://www.fia.com/news/f1-2023-sau...d-prix-preview

[ds.raikkonen]

Time for drivers to play DRS-chicken again

I find this to be an amazing circuit, with fast flowing corners on a street circuit! Its almost as good as Circuit de Villeneuve, perhaps better as it provides better overtaking opportunities thanks to the DRS zones and long main straight.

The Mercs are expected to be better here than in Bahrain as the circuit is easier on tyres (also better camber on corners?). Though VER will again run away from Pole (zero doubts there). It's all about P2 and below, let's hope LEC (even with a grid pen) and ALO can create some magic and take the fight to the bulls.

[Hatari]

This is one mega street circuit! Exciting battle ahead for all teams.. other than Red Bull!

Really looking forward to a close Quali.

Thereafter, unlike Bahrain, we should see a more attacking 1st stint in the race as drivers will not be focusing on degradation.

Alpine looking strong there, and Charles will need to fight his way through the field from P13? after his 10 place grid penalty.

[Scarlet_Rider]

Should be an interesting race with VER starting 15th and LEC starting lower as well due to the grid penalty. Can't wait for the PER vs ALO vs SAI vs STR battle at the start!

[Fx14]

Could VER just take a strategic penalty to gain an engine and start from the pit lane?

Given the edge of the RB and the DRS opportunities of this circuit, may be good for avoiding any first lap accidents too.

[rx100]

Race looks interesting with Lewis, Charles and Max starting middle of the pack and Fernando at front row.

With my F1 TV trial period ends, needs to see if I can watch it somehow or bite the bullet and subscribe to annual pack.

[Scarlet_Rider]

Originally Posted by Fx14

Could VER just take a strategic penalty to gain an engine and start from the pit lane?

Doubt whether Red Bull would do that since this is just the second race of the season and the issue VER had during qualifying was a drive shaft failure.

[drmohitg]

What a sore loser Max is. Any other reason for him now even bothering to bring his car to the designated stop for 2nd place.

[Scarlet_Rider]

Originally Posted by drmohitg

What a sore loser Max is. Any other reason for him now even bothering to bring his car to the designated stop for 2nd place.

Onboard replays show that PER and ALO were told by their respective race engineers on the cool down lap to continue to the grid instead of the pit lane. VER was not informed about it by his race engineer, hence he continued as usual to the pit lane.

Congratulations to ALO on the 100th podium of his career! He was given an additional 10 seconds penalty demoting him to 4th. The podium was again reinstated after a Right of Review by Aston Martin.

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...QXt4jJmmR.html

[libranof1987]

As boring as any race could be, barring the (expected) fightback from Max onto P2. Wonder if P1 was possible - the gap was consistently ~5sec. As expected, Max ensured he gets to retain the lead in the WC by taking fastest lap.

What's become routine is how quickly everyone forgot Ferrari - they barely got ANY footage, once they slipped to 4 and 5. McLaren seems horribly lost as well.

Originally Posted by drmohitg

What a sore loser Max is.

I don't think Max is petty; but boy o boy, Jos acted as if almost invisible when Perez came to celebrate below the podium! Papa Perez would have at least faked a smile.

[volkman10]

The flip flop decision on Alonso, as he gets the Saudi F1 podium back after penalty ruling overturned.

[ds.raikkonen]

Originally Posted by drmohitg

What a sore loser Max is

Worst was Jos Verstappen's reaction, completely poker faced when he should have congratulated Checo for the amazing win, instead of a dead pan look. The Verstappens are a bit too ruthless, apparently he used to dump Max on the side of the road if finished any lower than P1 in any race when he was a kid! And you thought your parents were a bit harsh..

TBH, I had expected Max to cruise up behind Checo and pass him (not easily) on the main straight. But apparently his car's mended driveshaft had other ideas (had to nurse it back home). Even Checo was told to slow down which he did not do with good reason (knowing that the team can hang him out to dry). Though Max got the fastest lap and kept WC lead narrowly. Game on at Red Bull! But let's see how Checo performs at non-street circuit tracks.

Alonso though, another podium!! Mega drive by him (I almost thought AM parked Stroll to give ALO an advantage by bringing out the safety car (can't think rationally having watched the '08 Singapore GP).

RUS kept HAM behind on the hard tyres quite easily in the end, shows that Red Bull is the only team with a mega-DRS advantage (Brundle mentioned 17 mph). TeamLH would have set Twitter on fire demanding RUS's head on a plate by now..

Ferrari were nowhere, yet again, with LEC stuck behind SAI. This team has almost become a joke now. LEC should start scouting other potential teams now if he wants to maintain his sanity. This team has become too-Italian to win now..quite frustrating as he had the pace to fight for the podium had they pitted him under the SC (just bad luck).

Originally Posted by Scarlet_Rider

He was given an additional 10 seconds penalty demoting him to 4th.

This is becoming a trend now, with teams screwing up to even serve the penalty properly. I was afraid when that radio call came to ALO about the rear jackman. Someone was joking yesterday when they mentioned that Ocon could not make it to Jeddah as he is still serving his time penalty in Bahrain :'D

[ninjatalli]

I was disappointed that Hamilton wasn't able to do more overtaking with his mediums. There was a point where he almost overtook Russell, and the commentators were talking about a potential fight for the 3rd position but then his speeds tapered off.

Originally Posted by ds.raikkonen

Worst was Jos Verstappen's reaction, completely poker faced when he should have congratulated Checo for the amazing win, instead of a dead pan look.

+1
This video says it all!

Joe Verstappen's sore loser reaction

What a parent to have - no wonder Max acts the (selfish) manner he does when it comes to being a team player. The on board commentary was worth hearing towards the end

Checo (with his race engineer) when being asked to slow down to 1m 33s laps asks what speed has Max been asked to, and is told 1m 32.6s. Instantly he refuses and says there is no reasons to do so.

Max (with his race engineer) asks who had the fastest lap and is told that's not important; and he immediately replies saying its important to him. And then scores the fastest lap.

Alonso to his team on the radio - you are da best, this car is da best. This season is da bestest

[AtheK]

With Checo actually getting the car he deserves and driving like that, I am rooting for him to go and win the championship this year, max continues to be a cry baby.

Alonso is winning hearts and podium, more power to him.

[extreme_torque]

Red Bull's seem to be from a different planet given their pace. Max just walked by other cars. How is there such a chasm? Can't be just the side pods or may be it is.