2021 Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia Hamilton Verstappen.jpg

Who will win the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix?

  • Max Verstappen

    Votes: 1,117 46.4%

  • Lewis Hamilton

    Votes: 1,120 46.5%

  • Other Driver

    Votes: 172 7.1%
  • Total voters
    2,409
Just two races remain in this unforgettable 2021 F1 season, and both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships are still hotly contested as the teams head to Saudi Arabia.

Most Formula 1 fans are feeling some combination of excitement and exhaustion entering the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend. On one hand, the most tightly contested F1 championship in many years is a racing fan’s dream, but on the other hand the off-track drama has been a racing purist’s nightmare.

Amidst this on-track versus off-track furor, the 10 F1 teams and drivers are focused on securing or advancing their positions in the championship standings. Max Verstappen sits eight points ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the drivers’ standings. The pair have combined to win all but four races so far this season, and a win by either driver in Saudi Arabia will have a significant impact on the title outcome. A win by Hamilton will close the gap to two or fewer points entering the final race, and a win by Verstappen would reduce Hamilton’s hopes of taking the title to a few unlikely outcomes in Abu Dhabi.

Mercedes and Red Bull are just five points apart in the constructors’ standings entering Saudi Arabia. Valtteri Bottas was the first race retirement in Qatar, which limited Mercedes’ points to the 25 collected by Hamilton. 2nd and 4th place finishes by the Red Bull drivers gave them a significant points surge to help narrow the championship gap. Like the drivers’ standings, a lot is on the line in Saudi Arabia for the teams.

Jeddah Corniche Circuit is host to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and should make for a compelling showcase of how fast the current generation of F1 cars is. Nearly 80% of the lap at this street circuit will be flat out for the drivers. Despite being over 6 kilometers long and encompassing 27 turns, qualifying laptimes will be well under one and a half minutes.

All eyes will be on the front of the field this weekend in this high-stakes race. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below on how you think this race will play out.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming Saudi Arabian Grand Prix? Let us know on Twitter at @RaceDepartment or in the comments section below!

Photo credits: Red Bull Content Pool
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About author
Mike Smith
Mike Smith
I have been obsessed with sim racing and racing games since the 1980's. My first taste of live auto racing was in 1988, and I couldn't get enough ever since. Lead writer for RaceDepartment, and owner of SimRacing604 and its YouTube channel. Favourite sims include Assetto Corsa Competizione, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, Automobilista 2, DiRT Rally 2 - On Twitter as @simracing604

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Comments

D
BrainsBush said:
After watching some on boards during FP1 I seriously got a bit dizy (no it was not beer time yet). I think the speed and the close barriers caused some 'nausiness'.

Were the drivers cautious and in learning mode or did they already push their car to the limits on this new track? I guess the first option? I like the idea we all have no reference from the past. So no idea if a lap of 1.29 is already fast??

BTW: I voted Lewis :mad:. Time for a beer now and prepare for FP2. Enjoy the race weekend!!
Click to expand...
it's a good bet they have already run 100's of simulator laps. New isn't NEW like in the old days.
 
Turk
I can't call it. Lewis is in the best form he's ever been in, it really seems like he's the favourite. The new track and the potential for red flags means it should hopefully be an exciting race.
 
JohannesK
You all know the vote is for who you actually think is going to win, not who you want to win. As much as I think Max deserves this WDCI cant see him winning in Jeddah unless Lewis overclocked engine explodes or Max lucks out with a red flag
 
Last edited:
paracletus
Well, it doesn't appear to be that easy to overtake here - quite narrow for the most part.
Still a decent 8-point lead to MV, and he's generally had much better starts that LH this year. One little mistake for LH and it's all over.
It may be an idea for MV to throw in a new ICE, looking at the way he's been carving through the field.
May be the closest finale since LH & FM - just a shame a third driver such as Norris wasn't up there too.
Botass and Perez both need to shape up and give some support during the race.
 
dave kirk
Lewis should walk this race tbh
Lewis will then go on to win the title, that car has a massive margin now, all that using Bottas' car as a guinea pig worked great
 
Damage Inc
McGherkin said:
Like Silverstone
Like Interlagos
Like Monza
Like Hungary 2017
Like Bahrain 2018
Like China 2018

That's all I can be bothered to type but there's so many more cases. Max sticks the car in the corner and if you don't get out of the way, you crash. It's his trademark.

If you're upset by Silverstone just remember this is the FIRST time someone has done it to you. Everybody else is used to it by now.
Click to expand...
We can also find lists of Lewis punting drivers off in his past so what? He's not the angelic driver many claim. Lewis, like all drivers who win, is not afraid of putting the car in where it 'll probably hurt.
 
Last edited:
BrainsBush
The danger on this track is the slow cars in their warm up lap and the other cars already going full speed. Why isn't their e.g. a minimum speed of lets say >200km/h? The speed difference is too big.
Let's see during FP3 and Quali. Hopefully no accidents.

==
Edit:
That was twice pretty close during FP3. Ham cruizing around and both Gasly and Mazepin almost crashed into him while they were on a flying lap and Lewis stayed on the racing lap at low speed.
Guess race director Masi will have a look into that situation. Needs to be avoided during quali. Very dangerous.
 
Last edited:
BrainsBush
Lewis summoned to stewards for ignoring double yellow during FP3.

==

Edit: And also for this one

1638633585378.png
 
Last edited:
BrainsBush
Appie Kuipers said:
If he does not get 5 places panelty then it’s all corrupt.
Click to expand...
I know a recent incident with a driver who also ignored double yellow and got five place grid penalty.

And to add on that: Lewis also is summoned to the stewards for unneccessary slowing down and blocking another driver.

Wouldn't be surprised if this will be a 5+3 penalty??
 
Last edited:
BrainsBush
muzikant said:
The rocket comes back don't worry it's the only way merc can win with overspeed. equivalent cars, Max is the better one
Click to expand...
Bottas' engine has a fuel leak and will be replaced by an older spec one. Seems they 'pushed' the engine too far and suffers reliability. This will probably also have consequences for the engine mode of Lewis' engine?
 

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