By Joe Murphy
After an eventful first week back after the long winter break, Formula 1’s first double header of the season moves on to Saudi Arabia for yet another Saturday race.
As Ramadan approaches, the race is set to take place 5pm UK time and be yet another night race. But what exactly could be on the cards when we witness a Grand Prix around a street circuit in Jeddah?
Well you’d be hard pressed to find a better shout than Max Verstappen winning the Grand Prix. However, don’t discount his teammate who is very good around this circuit and chase a good track record. Moreover, if Ferrari and Mercedes find answers to the niggles that plagued them over the latter half of this previous race weekend, then they too could be competitive.
The street circuit format allows for less margin of error and could spell trouble if we witness contact into turn one, something highly likely if Bahrain’s opening lap is anything to go by. Therefore, this Grand Prix more than others is more likely to witness a different winner other than Verstappen.
No safety car on the opening weekend meant that Max had all the luxuries he had, in fairness, earned. Around Jeddah where you are millimeters from the wall basically all of the time, he will have to be extremely weary of the ramifications of a poorly timed safety car or even VSC.
Expect Checo to be on the podium again and perhaps even Fernando Alonso who could cause problems in the upper midfield due to his vast experience and knowledge race craft suiting such conditions. It could, however, be another arduous weekend for Alpine as they look to climb from the bottom of the constructors standings. Something not incredibly likely if they run as they did across the border around the Bahrain International Circuit.
Daniel Ricciardo and Alex Albon could also be among the points if they capitalise on misfortune ahead whilst also staying out of trouble themselves.
WHEEL2WHEEL REPORTS 