In the penultimate round of this fantastic Formula 1 season, we could see a new champion crowned if results fall a certain way. In contrast, we could see Lewis Hamilton close the gap further or perhaps, even form a lead of his own. What can we expect from the streets of Jeddah? Let’s discuss…
Title showdown to go down to the wire
I repeat; anything can happen on race day in Formula 1. Lewis Hamilton could suffer a mechanical failure or a poorly timed puncture and gift his Dutch rival a maiden world championship. However, the same fate could become of the title leader. In all likelihood, this will not happen and the runaway two will battle it out at the front of the grid, much like they have done all the season so far, up to this point. It is imperative, especially for Hamilton, that if one of them goes out, the other suffers the same fate. Both drivers therefore will not want to give the other an inch whilst also not wanting to take any risks whatsoever. An intriguing prospect awaits, with the Brit needing to finish above Max Verstappen to go into the final week of the season in Abu Dhabi with a chance.
Whilst calling a winner between these two is turning out to be near-impossible, I do feel Verstappen will claim victory here, with Lewis just behind. The importance of qualifying cannot be stressed enough, so the Saturday session is vital for both title contenders. The roles of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez in these next two races, cannot be understated. They have an integral part to play in determining the destination of the constructor’s championship and, to an extent, the driver’s title too.
L4NDO rather than G4SLY or 4LONSO
If one of Perez, Verstappen, Hamilton or Bottas should encounter problems, then there are a number of drivers who will be looking to capitalise and win some serious points for their team. Last week, it was Fernando Alonso. Often at times this season, it has been Pierre Gasly in the Alpha Tauri whilst earlier in the year, Lando Norris found himself and his McLaren scoring regular top four finishes and even some podiums. As of late, this has become hard to predict, with certain tracks suiting certain cars more than others and the faltering consistency of a number of drivers. While Gasly has a superb qualifying car, his race pace has let his down at times this campaign and Alonso has also seen some inconsistent scoring. Therefore, with his teammate and the Ferrari’s seemingly off the pace in comparison, I will go with young Lando Norris to put himself in contention for some serious points for the orange team. The British constructor really needs to score well this race, to have a chance of pipping Ferrari to P3 in the teams standings. Whilst I think the race win is out of Lando’s hands and certainly looks a step too far for this season, it remains a case of when rather than if for him.
Seb and Yuki to tussle it out for a point
The recent performances of Sebastian Vettel and Yuki Tsunoda may have some somewhat under the radar to most spectators, but they have both endured contrasting fortune as of late, in their respective cars. Seb as been towards the lower end of the points, scoring seven in his last three races whilst Tsunoda hasn’t scored a single point since Hungary. That being said, their cars seem to be at a similar pace, with the German getting more out of his Aston Martin compared to his Japanese counterpart in his Alpha Tauri. In the constructors standings, there isn’t much to separate these two teams. And whilst that is primarily due to the efforts and consistent scoring of Pierre Gasly, Tsunoda has shown glimpses of great pace, particularly in the Friday and Saturday sessions. I expect these two to be battling it out around the lower points positions, perhaps even slightly lower in 12th and 13th and I back Yuki to, for the first time in a considerable period, get the better of the four-time world champion. Whether or not either or both score points, will more likely depend on the fortune of others ahead.
Any joy for Williams in Saudi Arabia?
George Russell and Nicolas Latifi will be looking to end the season strongly in the next couple of outings, and will be hopeful of adding some more points to their already accumulated tally. In the last couple of races in Brazil and Qatar specifically, the team have struggled to get anywhere near the points in terms of pace over the weekend. With no challenge looking imminent from Alfa Romeo or Hass below, and with the gap too big to Aston Martin above, their position of P8 looks assured, something the constructor would have surely taken if offered back in February. The team has not only scored a controversial podium this season, but has shown huge improvement from where the team has been over the last couple of years, something everyone invoked with the historic team, was desperate for. With the circuits remaining on the calendar not especially suited to the Williams cars, it will take a minor miracle for either Russell or Latifi, to score any points. Unfortunately for the team, one doesn’t seem forthcoming.
Who could spring a Saudi-surprise?
Whilst it is easy to go for the expect front four on the grid, there could be some surprises here. Due to the fact this is another track making its Grand Prix debut, mistakes and tyre wear could both play a part in shaking up the field. Moreover, we don’t have all the information in working out who will be quickest on Saturday or Sunday. Therefore, it is worth giving some consideration as to who could potentially spring some sort of surprise in Jeddah.
Could Carlos Sainz become Ferrari’s lead scoring driver by achieving more than his teammate Charles Leclerc? Could Leclerc himself impress yet again as the red team push on in third ahead of McLaren and company? What about some of the other drivers such as Estaban Ocon or Lance Stroll, could either of these make strides up into the points by taking advantage of potential safety cars or VSC’s? In fact, I will go for Daniel Ricciardo to impress and pose a threat to the higher points positions.
If his aforementioned teammate Lando Norris cannot achieve the expected pace, Wheel2Wheel predicts that it will instead be his Australian counterpart who will have a strong showing. This is important for Ricciardo who seems to have lost his way as of late, including poor results in Brazil and then again in Qatar, over the last few weeks.
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