Team-BHP - 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | Jeddah Street Circuit

I think this track is turning out to be worse than last year. That crash for Mick was nasty, good to see that he is okay and the car did it's job as a safety shell. However, those curbs need to be changed into a better shape if this track finds its way back next year.
Another shock was Lewis. However, I do believe there is some possible issues with the car itself.

Nice lap from Checo, his first pole.

Lewis said its a bad setup change from practice 3 to qualifying. Russel said that their cars have a such a narrow working range, that his side of the garage figured it out in time.
While lewis said he was going the right way but may be went to far above the working range of the setup.

But last year in Monaco also Lewis side of the garage was struggling with setup, while Bottas side figured it out.

Toto wolf said its a wake up call for the team to try and fix the Mercedes issues. "The setup direction with lewis meant he had no grip in rear axle".

On checo side of the garage especially from his engineer, its like they were not genuinely happy. One would expect a drivers engineer screaming, if his driver gets his first pole. But not the case with checo's engineer. Bet if checo is p1 and if max was behind him in second, they would ask him to move aside.

May be like how Gasly and Tsunoda do when Max is behind, make a mistake on purpose to let Max go by.

Until Max is on the final year of his contract with RB, they will never allow any other teammate to win a championship.

This is the race that could make Checko's name in the records. Case of the underdog coming up ahead. The reaction of Perez himself, Horner and the Red Bull mechanics is a stark difference as compared to when Max is on pole. No one is able or fully believe it, even once the cars are parked, Checo seems to be walking around like he's in a dream.

Oh, tonight's race is going to be fun on so many aspects. The minister of defence is going to have his hands full defending his position. Hamilton at the back is going to come roaring into the back end of the lot and run through them. Sainz and Leclarc will find it interesting to have a Red Bull at both ends so it will be interesting to see how Max attacks all 3 of them.

This race will only be fun if Red Bull allows Perez and Max to compete fairly against each other . But I won't be surprised if we have a 'Valteri, it's James' moment or if they mess up his pitstop

Overall, it's going to be a very interesting race and I won't be surprised if there are atleast 2 red flags.

Although I'm a Red Bull fan, I feel bad for Mercedes. We need them also to give a hard time for Ferrari and Red Bull to prevent utterly boring races.

Edit: Can't believe how such a dangerous track is approved by the FIA. Guess money is more important than even the driver's lives.

Points to ponder.

1. Honda engines top speeds on the straight at 335 k vs Ferrari at about 325k. Unbelievable difference, Ferrari has sacrificed top speed for overall sector 1 and 3 performance, but still hardly behind red bull in single lap low fuel quali pace.

2. Haas and Zhou top speed at 330, both Ferrari engines, faster than a Ferrari in the straights. Customer car faster than factory car? Points to a clear sacrifice, I think the engines are head to head.

3. Fully fuelled race sim during FP3, times compared, Ferrari faster than Red Bull over race distance on a timed lap

4. Ferrari seem better with used soft tyres, as opposed to new tyres. Undercut, over cut…man.

5. Will Leclerc get a clean start and cut off Checo? Will sainz use Checos slipstream and keep max behind? Who will be able to fire up their tyres earlier?

That Honda engine is the bees knees. And the Ferrari package is sublimity.

What a qualifying! First Hamilton exiting in Q1 following by Mick's terrible crash and topped by that cameo of a lap from Perez.

Quote:

Originally Posted by akash_v12 (Post 5285164)

I think this track is turning out to be worse than last year.

Those improvements in safety put in after reviewing Grojean's crash have really paid off. That said I think that the major issue in this crash is that the bumps have to be reprofiled given how low the ground effect cars run this season. Might be a potential issue at all tracks.

Drive on,
Shibu

God, that Ferrari is F - A - S - T. If it wasn't for the safety car, Charles would have gotten Max definitely ! Finally some points for McLaren. And as always happy to see Haas get some points as well ! Good recovery from Lewis but finished only 10th, Toto must be fuming after this race rl:

A good race - all drivers earned their place although Max kept which about Leclerc's lines and lights. Felt sorry for Checo though.

Mercedes did the best with at they had - long way to go. Mclaren are still in a sorry state. Haas - the new unicorn!

I would like to believe Max was today saved by the yellow flag, Leclerc was 0.4XX behind him before the main straight and would’ve easily gotten him before turn 1. Nonetheless, it’s a relief to see Ferrari performing well.

The one man who every race leader fears isn’t Max or Hamilton, it is Nicholas Latifi!

On the other hand, Hamilton today realised that the driver finishing tenth also gets a point. rl:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mat095 (Post 5285705)

Albon caused the double yellow, still helping out redbull.
Latifi is probably a guy who you would call for bringing in the safety car. Who knows what back channel arrangement redbull has with Latifi.

Amazing race. Was sad for Checo and especially Alonso. Both deserved much better end but was just plain unlucky. The pole of Checo shows his determination and I seriously hope that he will also join the championship fight soon with Lec and Max (making things complicated for RB).
Love the way Lec made the moves on the Red Bulls, both the dummy pit on Checo and letting Max pass on the final turn for the DRS. He is fully in tune to fight for the championship this year. Very evident that the rivalry is going to get bitter soon (Max already complaining about Lec).
Anyways, loving this new season.

What a nice, clean race! Tough luck for Checo - the bluff by Ferrari, followed by terrible timing for a VSC/SC. Leclerc and Max both displayed terrific presence of mind and smartness, and that overtake by Max to take the lead was so well executed.

Very enjoyable - and exciting to see Ferrari be the Ferrari they're known to be.