228 replies to this topic

[DevilDare]

'No one else wanted to make the thread' edition.
 
With average speeds of 250km/h, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit is the second fastest race on the calendar (only behind Monza). Banked turns, blind spots, the occasional boom in the background - all of this in-between concrete barriers. Too dangerous for modern standards? Come on, it's time to put your big boy pants on.

 

Pirelli says:

 

Schedule:

 

Session Times available here (automatically adjusts to your location so no excuse to miss the action).

 

The Top 5 as it stands:

 

• Lando Norris: 77 points
• Oscar Piastri: 74 points
• Max Verstappen: 69 points
• George Russell: 63 points
• Charles Leclerc: 32 points
• Everyone else here.

[SophieB]

Thanks, DevilDare!
Every year that it happens, it mildly surprises me that we hold grands prix on Easter Sundays.

[PayasYouRace]

Fun track, not so fun location.

It’s F1’s Surfers Paradise. I think some of the wiggles could be straightened out a bit. They don’t test the drivers in any way, and being a purpose built track it’s not like Otis to be that way. It’s like they had a brief for the most corners per kilometre of any track. But I generally enjoy this race.

How much I’ll get to see of it on Easter Sunday is another matter.

[Mc_Silver]

Max and George will challenge Oscar for the win here. This is one of Oscar's strongest track suiting his driving style. Another damage limitation weekend for Lando I'm afraid.

[Rediscoveryx]

So... what are the chances of rain? 

[STRFerrari4Ever]

A shame they reprofiled the chicane just after the S2 timing marker, when they first raced there in 2021 it was a true test but it has been neutered since.

Aero efficiency is very important around here so let’s see if any of McLaren’s competitors can close the gap on them here or if they’ll maintain or even extend their advantage.

[sgtkate]

A shame they reprofiled the chicane just after the S2 timing marker, when they first raced there in 2021 it was a true test but it has been neutered since.

Aero efficiency is very important around here so let’s see if any of McLaren’s competitors can close the gap on them here or if they’ll maintain or even extend their advantage.

Lot's of talk of McLaren being a bit more draggy and lacking top speed compared to rivals. This track should confirm if that's true of if McLaren were simply making different setup choices than others.

[Garagista]

My prediction for the weekend is that Lando Will win and Piastri will have a bad weekend, then for the next 2 weeks we will be talking how Piastri is not ready for the Title. The overreaction we are all now getting used to

[SenorSjon]

So... what are the chances of rain? 

 

Rockets or water?

[tigerkimi]

Max and George will challenge Oscar for the win here. This is one of Oscar's strongest track suiting his driving style. Another damage limitation weekend for Lando I'm afraid.

This is also one of Leclerc's strongest track 

Edited by tigerkimi, 17 April 2025 - 12:01.

[Anderis]

So... what are the chances of rain? 

50%

It will either rain or not rain. 

[917k]

Love this track, really shows the speed of the cars….as opposed to Bahrain where they looked lumbering in the slow stuff.

[chdphd]

Corniche Piastri time I think

[Beri]

The only track that has been added to the calendar in recent years that I always look forward too. Its a track that is different to the likes of Miami or Las Vegas, it is fast, unrelenting, has different track characteristics and it produces good racing due to well placed DRS zones. The only drawback; its in Saudi Arabia.

[LolaB0860]

The most overrated track on the calendar. I mean I guess the layout is fine or whatever but it's just as artificially constructed as Miami. And only rivaled by Qatar in awfulness of the location and surrounding political circumstances

And as per usual for night races the track looks decent during the sunset F2 sessions, with sea in the background, but bland as industrial construction yard during night

Edited by LolaB0860, 17 April 2025 - 13:48.

[KPower]

One of my favorite tracks on the calendar. I'm always in favor of the drivers getting a challenge and usually Saudi lives up to that.

[jonpollak]

The most overrated track on the calendar. I mean I guess the layout is fine or whatever but it's just as artificially constructed as Miami. And only rivaled by Qatar in awfulness of the location and surrounding political circumstances

And this is Lola’s glass half full.
Jp

[vlado]

So this is how it’s done

https://x.com/robert...zg-bv2n8am2mMAg

[FortiFord]

Fun track, not so fun location.

It’s F1’s Surfers Paradise. I think some of the wiggles could be straightened out a bit. They don’t test the drivers in any way, and being a purpose built track it’s not like Otis to be that way. It’s like they had a brief for the most corners per kilometre of any track. But I generally enjoy this race.

How much I’ll get to see of it on Easter Sunday is another matter.

Have you visited Jeddah?

[vlado]

RACE PACE IN JEDDAH 2024

1 - Red Bull: 1:32.929
2 - Ferrari: 1:33.316 (+0.387s)
3 - McLaren: 1:33.607 (+0.677s)
4 - Mercedes: 1:33.622 (+0.692s)

https://x.com/f1bigd...zg-bv2n8am2mMAg

[aportinga]

Russell gets a win this weekend!

[Afterburner]

My prediction for the weekend is that Lando Will win and Piastri will have a bad weekend, then for the next 2 weeks we will be talking how Piastri is not ready for the Title. The overreaction we are all now getting used to

Swing-o-Meter: The McLaren Way

[PayasYouRace]

Russell gets a win this weekend!

I’d love to see that.

[Anja]

Every year that it happens, it mildly surprises me that we hold grands prix on Easter Sundays.

 

Far from perfect for family obligations, at least here where Easter is kind of a big deal. 

Edited by Anja, 17 April 2025 - 14:30.

[Ruusperi]

Not a country that should be given an F1 race, but at least the circuit is truly challenging with its high-speed blind corners that are borderline scary. If there's an accident, I think the chance for red flag is as high as for SC.

Edited by Ruusperi, 17 April 2025 - 14:34.

[aportinga]

I’d love to see that.

 

Yeah I think he's become my favorite driver. I'm really on about KA as well so I guess I am a Merc fan.

 

Damn - didn't see that coming but it helps out when I go to car shows in my daughters 1973 450SL wearing a GR Petronas AMG cap.

 

At least I'm not driving a Corvette 

[Lazy]

Rockets or water?

Drones more likely.

[aportinga]

Not a country that should be given an F1 race, but at least the circuit is truly challenging with its high-speed blind corners that are borderline scary. If there's an accident, I think the chance for red flag is as high as for SC.

 

The circuit at night reminds me of a Chicago GP could be if ran through the parks north of the City. It would take so much money and never get voted in... But it would be classy (unlike the NASCAR race).

[JimmyClark]

The most overrated track on the calendar. I mean I guess the layout is fine or whatever but it's just as artificially constructed as Miami. And only rivaled by Qatar in awfulness of the location and surrounding political circumstances

And as per usual for night races the track looks decent during the sunset F2 sessions, with sea in the background, but bland as industrial construction yard during night

It was great at first, but the changes made since 2021 have neutered it somewhat. I don't think anything interesting happened in the last two years in the races? Not that I can recall anyway.

Edited by JimmyClark, 17 April 2025 - 14:56.

[Autodromo]

With those walls and running in darkness, they might as well hold this race indoors down some hallways of an abandoned mall.

[LolaB0860]

It was great at first, but the changes made since 2021 have neutered it somewhat. I don't think anything interesting happened in the last two years in the races? Not that I can recall anyway.

 

I don't remember anything about the 2024 race, but in 2023 Verstappen had to make many DRS passes or something to overcome his lowly qualifying position while Perez only marginally stayed ahead

Edited by LolaB0860, 17 April 2025 - 15:27.

[LolaB0860]

And this is Lola’s glass half full.
Jp

 

Technically there's something positive in each of my Top 5 Worst GPs

 

Mexico - long rundown to the first corner on first lap + altitude for engines

Miami - at least it's not a night race

Jeddah - layout isn't that bad

Qatar - they haven't been able to buy season opener or finale calendar slot

Abu Dhabi - titles are usually already decided by this point and you can watch it without care

Edited by LolaB0860, 17 April 2025 - 15:37.

[JimmyClark]

I don't remember anything about the 2024 race, but in 2023 Verstappen had to make many DRS passes or something to overcome his lowly qualifying position while Perez only marginally stayed ahead

Ah yes 2023 had that at least.

[vlado]

It was great at first, but the changes made since 2021 have neutered it somewhat. I don't think anything interesting happened in the last two years in the races? Not that I can recall anyway.

The duel for the win in 2022 was great fun

[balmybaldwin]

With those walls and running in darkness, they might as well hold this race indoors down some hallways of an abandoned mall.

dont give them ideas

[MJB5990]

Someone will get hurt here one day and then everyone will say in-hindsight, it maybe wasn't right to race here. 

 

Until then though, let's go racing I guess. 

 

Terrible track, even worse country. I will however, of course be watching! Hoping for a Lewis miracle as usual. 

[noikeee]

How's weather looking for this weekend

In terms of rain and other non liquid projectiles from the sky

[Risil]

The duel for the win in 2022 was great fun

 

2022 was good. 2021 was memorable. I don't remember 2024 at all.

[Goron3]

Softer tyres for this year, which is definitely needed given that last year both the M and H could comfortably do most of the GP.

[LolaB0860]

How's weather looking for this weekend

In terms of rain and other non liquid projectiles from the sky

Hot and bone dry for 3 days

And Houthi missiles are elsewhere

Edited by LolaB0860, 17 April 2025 - 16:40.

[ANF]

2022 was good. 2021 was memorable. I don't remember 2024 at all.

Something about somebody crossing the white line to the pit entry?
Could have been 2023 or even F2.

[Myrvold]

Ah, right. It's my "Martin Brundle weekend".

[LolaB0860]

There was also phantom caution thrown for Stroll's stopped car one year and everyone got mad

Edited by LolaB0860, 17 April 2025 - 18:57.

[Disgrace]

2022 was good. 2021 was memorable. I don't remember 2024 at all.

Well put, sir.

[sniper80]

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Street Circuit is one of the most dangerous tracks on the F1 calendar. Built in an era where safety is a top priority for F1, the circuit’s narrow design, high-speed straights, and tight corners raise serious safety concerns that are clear to everyone involved in autosport. With minimal runoff areas and barriers positioned dangerously close to the track, it’s a design that feels out of place in today’s safety-conscious F1 environment.

[pacificquay]

Hate this track.

 

Also surprised Easter seems to be much of a thing for many people other than giving the kids a chocolate egg.

 

The race is on at 6pm BST so surely any obligations would be over by then in any case.

[zeph]

Alright, I'm just gonna come right out and say it, consequences be damned.

 

 

I miss Will Buxton.

[KWSN - DSM]

Car display procedure

 

 

Never knew it was regulated like that.

[Autodromo]

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Street Circuit is one of the most dangerous tracks on the F1 calendar. Built in an era where safety is a top priority for F1, the circuit’s narrow design, high-speed straights, and tight corners raise serious safety concerns that are clear to everyone involved in autosport. With minimal runoff areas and barriers positioned dangerously close to the track, it’s a design that feels out of place in today’s safety-conscious F1 environment.

Wow; do you write copy for a living?  Sounds like a press release!  My posts sounds like a drunk teenager typing on the toilet (for the record, I rarely post drunk, haven't been a teenager since the last century, and never post on the toilet).

[Chick0]

Alright, I'm just gonna come right out and say it, consequences be damned.

 

 

I miss Will Buxton.

 

You can go and listen to him being just as terrible as always during Indycar races.