- The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix returns to the Components 1 calendar for its third exhibiting.
- Having first appeared in 2021, the race delivered loads of motion in its two appearances.
- The quick, sweeping circuit is a problem for all drivers but in addition very rewarding.
The 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is right here, able to hook second gear as Components 1 prepares for Spherical 2 of the brand new season.
The race, staged across the streets of Corniche in Jeddah, is the quickest avenue circuit on the calendar, in addition to one of the crucial harmful of all the fashionable circuits.
Having made its debut in 2021, the race in Jeddah has delivered loads of thrills and spills on the 2 events it fashioned a part of the calendar, and expectations are that it will likely be the case once more in 2023.
We take a look at just a few key moments from previous races in Saudi.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on-track incident, Saudi Arabia 2021
Getty Pictures Lars Baron
Verstappen vs Hamilton, 2021
The 2021 Components 1 season will probably be remembered for a lot of controversial causes. Be it the best way Max Verstappen received the Drivers’ championship or Lewis Hamilton driving him off the observe at 320km/h in Britain. The speaking factors are infinite.
It was in Jeddah that yr that the 2 drivers have been once more at one another’s throats. With the championship on the road and two races to go, together with Saudi, it was a troublesome race as the 2 heavyweights traded blows all through the Grand Prix. However on Lap 37/50, the 2 made contact when Hamilton drove into Verstappen.
READ: Highly technical and extremely fast -Saudi racetrack to test F1 drivers’ abilities again
Verstappen was finally blamed for the incident and served a penalty, with Hamilton choosing up the win and his title rival settling for second.
Whereas this might have been averted, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit is designed in such a approach that it promotes overtaking. Popping out of the flurry of corners (Turns 22 – 24), drivers have a high-speed DRS-supported run into Flip 27, the ultimate nook. Creating a chance for overtaking, it additionally brings a driver proper onto his rival’s automotive as they go down the primary straight (one other DRS zone).
Neither driver needed to offer the chasing driver the benefit into Flip 1, which led to the pointless contact.
Solely two Grands Prix to date… however a great deal of wheel-to-wheel motion!
Try 5 of our favorite duels on observe in Jeddah, together with this breathless conflict between Max and Lewis ??#SaudiArabianGP #F1
— Components 1 (@F1) March 14, 2023
Perez lastly on pole, 2022
Sergio Perez might have been in F1 for over a decade, however luck wasn’t all the time on his aspect. Apart from the uncommon alternative for a win and a podium end, the motive force by no means had what you’d name ‘future’ on his aspect. However issues modified in 2020 when he received his first race in Bahrain, which was adopted by his signing to Pink Bull Racing to companion Verstappen, and one other win in 2021.
However pole place? To not be. Effectively, not till final yr’s race in Jeddah.
Perez did sufficient to safe pole place in qualifying, placing his Pink Bull in entrance of the 2 Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, and Verstappen.
It had taken Perez 215 qualifying classes earlier than he may begin his first Grand Prix from the entrance.
Verstappen vs Leclerc, 2022
One of many massive takeaways from the 2022 season was the mature rivalry between Verstappen and Leclerc. It was a far cry from the nasty public spat between Verstappen and Hamilton only a yr earlier than, and the horrific confrontation between staff bosses Christian Horner (Pink Bull) and Toto Wolff (Mercedes-AMG).
READ: Ferrari’s Leclerc hit with 10-place grid penalty for Saudi GP
Each Verstappen and Leclerc duelled civilly all through 2022, by no means permitting on-track battles to turn into private. It was good to see, particularly once they battled it out for wins – like they did in Jeddah.
As in Bahrain 2022, the 2 drivers exchanged the lead of the race a number of occasions, attempting to get the benefit as they tried to steal the lead and, finally, the win. However Verstappen got here out on high, securing his first win of the season after his staff suffered a double retirement in Bahrain two weekends prior.
