Ahead of this week’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Sky Sports F1tactician Bernie Collins analyzes some of the key considerations for teams and drivers in Jeddah.
Red Bull made a poor start to the season in Bahrain last weekend as Max Verstappen chose where he cruised to victory ahead of team-mate Sergio Perez in 2023.
However, there is hope among rivals that the track layout in Bahrain and the highly grippy surface have increased the advantage Red Bull has taken over the season.
The Jeddah Corniche Street Circuit offers a completely different proposition for teams and drivers and will test elements of performance that were significantly less relevant in Bahrain.
Collins, who was head of race strategy at Aston Martin until the middle of the 2022 F1 season, has flagged the following elements.
Risk and reward in a tough search for the perfect quality lap
Not only is Jeddah a street circuit, but it is also very fast. This means that there is almost constant danger in the form of obstacles waiting for the driver.
So, in each session, drivers are left trying to find a balance between risk and reward, most intensely during Friday’s qualifying.
The challenge for drivers has been made ever so slightly easier by pushing back the barriers in 2023, a move to improve proximity and help avoid accidental blockages during qualifying.
Nevertheless, putting together a ‘perfect’ qualifying lap is a huge task given the many high-speed corners and long circuit sections with little margin for error.
Whoever comes out on top will undoubtedly have secured their place at the front of the grid in what should be an exciting battle for pole position on Friday.
Check the track position as possible in a one-stop race
Unlike in Bahrain, where there were plenty of overtaking opportunities, in Saudi Arabia track position will be more important and more emphasis will be placed on ability.
A car needs a huge speed advantage to pass from the front, and it could be even more extreme than in the past, amid concerns over the difficulty of following this year’s more advanced cars closely.
In contrast to Bahrain, a low level of destruction is expected, which means that we are likely to see most of the field pull out a stop strategy without too much pressure.
Last year’s most popular route was the first stint on the medium tyre, followed by a second on the hard compound, which is expected to remain the same as Pirelli C2, C3 and C4 are allocating the same options.
The characteristics of the circuit result in tight battles with the possibility of up and down orders where a single stop time can be crucial.
Get ready for safety car drama!
If at this point you’re worried that it sounds like there might be a lack of risk on race day, don’t despair!
The arrangement means that just about any kind of incident is likely to lead to the intervention of the safety car, which has the ability to completely shake things up.
The high potential for a safety car means we’re likely to see a lot of variation in how teams try to execute their one-stop strategies, as some look to make an early drop while others slow down. Stay out in the hope of stopping.
A safety car can also be timed so that some drivers switch to two stops.
Tactics will also have to contend with the possibility of the safety car being upgraded to a red flag, which could easily happen in the event the race director believes it will take a significant amount of time to clear the track.
Teams have to make quick decisions, based on the assessment of the likelihood of a red flag, on whether they pit or stay out before being given what becomes a free pit stop in the case of a full stop.
Whatever happens, this high-speed circuit ensures that drivers and tactics must be fully focused for all 50 laps under the lights.
Sky Sports F1 Live Saudi Arabia GP Schedule
Thursday 7 March
- 9.50am: F2 exercises
- 10.50am: F1 academy practice
- 1pm: Saudi Arabia GP practice one (session starts at 1.30pm)
- 2.55pm: F2 qualification
- 4.45pm: Saudi Arabia GP practice two (session starts at 5pm)
- 6.15pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
- 7.15pm: The F1 Show
Friday March 8
- 11.55am: F1 Academy Race 1
- 1.10pm: Saudi Arabia GP Exercise 3 (Session starts at 1.30pm)
- 3.05pm: F2 sprint race
- 4.10pm: Saudi Arabia PG capacity building
- 5pm: Saudi Arabia GP qualification
Saturday 9 March
- 12pm: F1 Academy Race 2
- 1.20pm: F2 Feature Race
- 3.30pm: Saudi Arabia GP Build-up: Grand Prix Saturday
- 5pm: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
- 7pm: Saudi Arabia GP reaction: Checked flag
- 9.30pm: Highlights of Saudi Arabia GP
Watch the second round of the new F1 season – the Saudi Arabian GP – live on Sky Sports F1 this coming week, with practice on Thursday, qualifying on Friday and the race on Saturday at 5pm. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Monthly subscription for just £21 a month for 12 months
Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight showdown with Francis Ngannou takes place on Friday March 8, live on Sky Sports Box Office at around 11pm with the main event expected. Book Joshua v Ngannou now!