Following the blockbuster Bahrain Grand Prix, the Formula 1 teams will take on another Middle Eastern circuit at the Saudi Arabian GP 2024. The F1 drivers will firstly lap-log around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit to test out their 2024 racing machines, before the final showdown.
With the Saudi Arabian GP 2024 just around the corner, here are the A-to-Zs of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit and the predictions for this Grand Prix.
Details of Jeddah Corniche Circuit explained for Saudi Arabian GP 2024
The 2024 Formula 1 season races onto Round 2 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit–the first street circuit of the 24-race F1 calendar–for the Saudia Arabian GP 2024.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which is the home to the Saudia Arabian GP, is greatly known for its marvelous city-seaside layout, beside the stunning Jeddah Red Sea coast. It is recognized as the third-longest racetrack–besides the Las Vegas and Spa Franchorchamps tracks–in the F1 calendar, with a circuit length of 6.174 km (3.836 mi).
This circuit is also celebrated as the fastest street circuit in Formula 1, recording a maximum speed of up to 252 km/h on average. It is also one of the most dangerous and action-packed F1 tracks with a total of 27 high-speed turns and 3 DRS zones and hosts a grand total of 50 laps (308.45 km in total) per race.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit has hosted three Saudi Arabian Grand Prix since its inauguration in 2021, and seen three different Champions, including Sergio Perez (2023), Max Verstappen (2022), and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, who holds the circuit’s fastest lap record at 1min 30.734 seconds.
With the F1 teams presently in the FP phase of this season’s Round 2, the F1 community is already busy predicting the winners and losers of the Saudi Arabian GP 2024.
What are Saudi Arabian GP 2024 predictions?
The Formula 1 community, including pundits and fans, are predicting little changes in the top order (1st and 2nd spots) of the final race results–more so in the 3rd and beyond spots.
Max Verstappen–reigning F1 Champion–and his partner Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez is being singled out as the Champion and runner-up by a mile. Charles Leclerc is being touted to secure a podium spot (3rd position) ahead of his Ferrari partner Carlos Sainz Jr.
The 4th position is predicted to witness a heavy fight between the McLaren and Mercedes racers, with all eyes set on Lewis Hamilton, who is expected to put forth some surprising tricks up his sleeve.
The remainder of the pecking order is likely to see some changes and expected for some ‘out of the blue’ individual performances where the Aston Martin drivers are hoped to be the ‘dark horse’ for those positions.
Another major prediction from F1 pundits is that Haas F1 is highly likely to score some points, after missing out at the Bahrain GP due to a simple mistake.
The F1 teams will run for the FP sessions and qualifying rounds between 7th to 8th March, before going head-to-head on 9th March for the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP’s final race.
Is the Jeddah Corniche Circuit really one of the fastest racetracks in Formula 1? Will Max Verstappen finally be taken down at the Saudia Arabian GP 2024? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
