2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Jeddah, Dec 03 - 05

[dans79]

Isn't this track just an Imola with closer walls?

more like a cross between spa and baku in my opinion!

[toraabe]

I think Alpine will be nr 3 team. I think this track will suit them well

[AeroDynamic]

This track is gonna be a madness. Gonna be hectic like a mothaf****r.

Monaco margins for error. Disrupted practice sessions from people losing it or misjudging it: shortening practice time for everyone else. Probably more of the same in the race.

[cooken]

[PlatinumZealot]

I see a wall of champions in the last kink on the back straight. There is going to be accidents there no doubt.

[Stu]

Source?

I've found the source, F1 Nation podcast, Saudi GP preview. The race promoter claims the track grip will be one of the highest of an F1 circuit.

Maximum grip, maximum full throttle parts, high average speed. Can the tire’s internal structure keep itself together? Are we going to see thread rip of the sidewall at 300+ kph

Not if they monitor tyre life (probably going to be a big part of FP1.
If tyres are ‘wrecked’ by the track surface who will be first to blame the tyres (& Pirelli?); how could it be possible for Pirelli to design & build tyres for a track that
a) wasn’t there until a few months ago
b) didn’t have a finished surface until two weeks ago

From looking at the pictures of the track surface, it looks ‘smooth’ on the macro level but very rough on a micro level.
Tyres operate at the micro level….

Tyre management is going to be the key to the race, platform management is going to be key to qualifying. Who WILL get the compromise right on Sunday?

[mclaren111]

I think Alpine will be nr 3 team. I think this track will suit them well

I think Mclaren might join the top two considering their Spa & Monza performane...

[Tizz]

There seems to be sand all around the track. They may have used grippy asfalt but it will be interesting to see how much sand will blow onto the track and how that will work out.

[Wouter]

There seems to be sand all around the track. They may have used grippy asfalt but it will be interesting to see how much sand will blow onto the track and how that will work out.

Yesterday they cleaned the circuit. Almost no wind is expected.

[InsaneX_Badger]

Wonder if it will be difficult getting through blue flag traffic round here

[SiLo]

Wonder if it will be difficult getting through blue flag traffic round here

I think this might be huge, where is there proper space to let someone past?

[bonjon1979]

Wonder if it will be difficult getting through blue flag traffic round here

I think this might be huge, where is there proper space to let someone past?

The massively long straights?

[TimW]

I am worried about the safety of this circuit. Overtaking attempts on the long full throttle sections, with the bends inviting to put somebody into the wall. And then tire stress as mentioned. Accidents like the Stroll and Verstappen crashes in Baku would be even more risky here.

[djones]

I'm usually wrong about this sort of thing, but watching that video of a lap makes me thinks this is going to be a really boring race. Qualifying position and tyre management over any sort of on-track racing I suspect.

[SiLo]

Wonder if it will be difficult getting through blue flag traffic round here

I think this might be huge, where is there proper space to let someone past?

The massively long straights?

The straights are quite far apart for some areas, could see people lose a lot of time behind back markers