Round 2 of the 2024 Formula One season takes place in Saudi Arabia this weekend on the Jeddah Corniche circuit. Here are all the stories to look out for.
Image credit: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Image Credit: Rudy Carezzevoli. via Getty Images
Update March 8, 14:20 CET
Carlos Sainz will not take the start of the race. The Spaniard has been diagnoses with appendicitis, meaning Prema F2 driver Oliver Bearman is going to make his Grand Prix Debut at Jeddah. Remarkably, the 18-year old had scored Pole Position in Formula 2 qualifying - not knowing that instead of getting to start the F2 race from P1, he would actually be in a Ferrari F1 cockpit come race day.
Original article March 7, 19:00 CET
After an uneventful round one, the Formula One circus travels across the Middle East to Saudi Arabia for round two of the World Championship.
Comparing Bahrain to the Jeddah street circuit is like comparing the World Endurance Championship and Formula One - two completely different beasts. The fast-flowing nature of this high-speed venue is sure to produce a different experience to Bahrain. The tyre-shredding stop-start layout of Bahrain could not be further from the upcoming Jeddah street circuit if it tried.
The opening round of the season at Bahrain saw pre-season testing concerns become a reality as Red Bull once again proved this year will be a fight for second place. The battles behind did not particularly inspire fans either with a fairly processional display from 1st to 20th.
Red Bull In Strife?
Coming into the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Red Bull are in front of both championships. However, their team boss Christian Horner is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The Red Bull team principal was cleared by an internal investigation last week following allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour'. This weekend has altered the trajectory of this story entirely. Horner's accuser has been suspended from Red Bull Racing. Leaked text messages, allegedly involving Horner, mean the story remains very much in the public eye.
Max Verstappen's father Jos has been claiming the issues within the team threaten to tear Red Bull Racing apart from the inside out.
Alongside the Red Bull controversy, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is currently under investigation for allegedly overturning Fernando Alonso's 10-second penalty at last years Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Christian Horner faces questions over his future at Red Bull. Image credit: AFP via Getty Images
F1's Most Boring Season?
Aside from Red Bull's issues, the rest of the grid has a lot of work to do. The front runners are in a league of their own, as proven by the procession at Bahrain. Ferrari has to close quite the gap to Red Bull, and teams like Mclaren and Aston Martin are likely to be fighting closer to the front come mid-season.
It is all well and good having pace in the mid-season, but by the time the results start to come for these other teams, will Red Bull be home and dry? What do you want to see from the midfield over these next few races?
If you are in the UK, watching Sky Sports F1 or on the NOW app will be your best way to watch the action.
US fans can watch the race in its entirety through ESPN via Sling/Fubo and ESPN Plus
Image Credit: Tomsguide.com
Who will you be supporting in the 2024 Formula One Saudi Arabia Grand Prix? Let us know in the poll above or down in the comments below!
Image credit: Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
Image Credit: Rudy Carezzevoli. via Getty Images
Update March 8, 14:20 CET
Carlos Sainz will not take the start of the race. The Spaniard has been diagnoses with appendicitis, meaning Prema F2 driver Oliver Bearman is going to make his Grand Prix Debut at Jeddah. Remarkably, the 18-year old had scored Pole Position in Formula 2 qualifying - not knowing that instead of getting to start the F2 race from P1, he would actually be in a Ferrari F1 cockpit come race day.
Original article March 7, 19:00 CET
After an uneventful round one, the Formula One circus travels across the Middle East to Saudi Arabia for round two of the World Championship.
Comparing Bahrain to the Jeddah street circuit is like comparing the World Endurance Championship and Formula One - two completely different beasts. The fast-flowing nature of this high-speed venue is sure to produce a different experience to Bahrain. The tyre-shredding stop-start layout of Bahrain could not be further from the upcoming Jeddah street circuit if it tried.
The opening round of the season at Bahrain saw pre-season testing concerns become a reality as Red Bull once again proved this year will be a fight for second place. The battles behind did not particularly inspire fans either with a fairly processional display from 1st to 20th.
Red Bull In Strife?
Coming into the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Red Bull are in front of both championships. However, their team boss Christian Horner is in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The Red Bull team principal was cleared by an internal investigation last week following allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour'. This weekend has altered the trajectory of this story entirely. Horner's accuser has been suspended from Red Bull Racing. Leaked text messages, allegedly involving Horner, mean the story remains very much in the public eye.
Max Verstappen's father Jos has been claiming the issues within the team threaten to tear Red Bull Racing apart from the inside out.
Alongside the Red Bull controversy, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is currently under investigation for allegedly overturning Fernando Alonso's 10-second penalty at last years Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Christian Horner faces questions over his future at Red Bull. Image credit: AFP via Getty Images
F1's Most Boring Season?
Aside from Red Bull's issues, the rest of the grid has a lot of work to do. The front runners are in a league of their own, as proven by the procession at Bahrain. Ferrari has to close quite the gap to Red Bull, and teams like Mclaren and Aston Martin are likely to be fighting closer to the front come mid-season.
It is all well and good having pace in the mid-season, but by the time the results start to come for these other teams, will Red Bull be home and dry? What do you want to see from the midfield over these next few races?
When And How To Watch the 2024 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
As ever, Formula One race streams are available as part of the official F1 TV subscription while many channels around the world will show race coverage.If you are in the UK, watching Sky Sports F1 or on the NOW app will be your best way to watch the action.
US fans can watch the race in its entirety through ESPN via Sling/Fubo and ESPN Plus
Image Credit: Tomsguide.com
Who will you be supporting in the 2024 Formula One Saudi Arabia Grand Prix? Let us know in the poll above or down in the comments below!
