F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is one of the newest races added to the Formula One calendar. It takes place early in the year typically beside the Bahrain Grand Prix. Despite controversies around the event, including safety concerns due to the conflicts in the surrounding areas, F1 has had a pair of successful Saudi Arabian GP events. So far, the favorites have won the races, so expect to bet chalk on the sportsbook.
The course was designed by Herman Tilke with help from Google Earth. F1’s Ross Brawn said of the track: “What we want to see is a race circuit. We don’t want Mickey Mouse circuits. We don’t want those old classic street circuits with 90 degree turns. We want fast sweeping circuits, circuits which are going to challenge the drivers – and they are going to love it.”
Race Information
Be sure to check the current F1 standings.
- Course: Jeddah Corniche Circuit
- Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Course Length: 3.836 miles (6.174 kilometers)
- Distance: 50 laps, 191.662 miles (308.450 kilometers)
- Date:
Circuit Information
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is built in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah. It is advertised as the “fastest street track” on the Formula 1 Grand Prix and has simulated average speeds in excess of 160 miles per hour. It is second only to Monza, the “Temple of Speed”, in terms of being the fastest. The track is also the second-longest in Formula One (only Spa-Francorchamps is longer).
There are 27 turns on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit with the Turn 13 corner as the best place for fans to catch a glimpse of the action.
Saudi Arabia GP
F1 2023 Schedule
Top 5 Results:
Top 5 Results:
Top 5 Results:
Top 5 Results:
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Current F1 Standings 2023 Season
| Race | Date | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Free Practice 1 | Friday 25 March, 2022 | Charles Leclerc |
| Free Practice 2 | Friday 25 March, 2022 | Charles Leclerc |
| Free Practice 3 | Saturday 26 March, 2022 | Charles Leclerc |
| Qualifying | Saturday 26 March, 2022 | Sergio “Checo” Perez |
| Race | Sunday 27 March, 2022 | Max Verstappen |
History of Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
The first Saudi Arabian GP was supposed to take place on November 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the inaugural race was held on December 2021 as the second-last event on the F1 race events.
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes, who was also the pole leader, won the race, making it his third consecutive victory of the 2021 season. The win put him in a tie with Max Verstappen, who finished third, in the F1 standings. It would set up a thrilling finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix later.
The race was not without its fair share of controversies. Hamilton criticized Verstappen in post-race interviews after colliding with the Red Bull driver for the third time. Verstappen, in turn, claimed F1 was “more about penalties than racing”.
In 2022, the Saudi Arabian GP was moved to the early part of the season. It took place after the Bahrain Grand Prix. Prior to the race, there were serious concerns for the safety of the event, as there was a missile strike that triggered a large fire just a few miles from the circuit.
The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association held a 4½-hour meeting and cited “consequences of not racing” to continue with the race. Verstappen ended up winning the race, as he edged Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
The 2021 champ once again drew criticism for his antics during the safety car restart. This prompted the FIA to scrutinize Verstappen beginning with the next race, the Australian Grand Prix.
