2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Jeddah, March 17 - 19

[organic]

The blind corners paired with concrete walls close on both sides could easily lead to a Hubert situation in the event of any crash. Hit the wall, concrete barrier spits you straight back into the track with crash structures already used and those coming around the corner at 200+ km/h cannot see anything until it's too late to avoid.

Blind corners are fine when other aspects make it safer, but Jeddah has the perfect storm in terms of safety issues. We'll see if the changes have resolved it

[mendis]

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Was it any worse than what we saw of the same driver in Monaco? Is Monaco safer than Saudi?



Is Singapore more safer than other two?

[avantman]

Well right up until about lap 2 on Sunday we thought Ferrari would compete as well given how close they were in qualifying.

Wasn't the case literally. We knew they had issues with tire deg and setup in Bahrain prior to the race. Doesn't mean this will be a story of the season ahead.

[mclaren111]

meh, crash in above picture was down to incompetent driving. Track was fine, first one in ages that offered some thrills watching cars negotiating those barriers. Apparently they straightened out some kinks, which will make it more boring and lose some character. Imagine changing tracks because maldonano crashed in every corner on every track, it's what they've done now with schumacher. Dude couldn't turn a wheel without crashing into something.

[vanburin]

We first have to wait if the CE (1e) and ES (1e) of Leclerc is still usable . If not he will face penalties.

Wouldn't they not be penalized until they've used ALL of their allotted components, and had to take on additional components? They'll definitely face penalties at some point this season, but I don't believe that would be here.

[chrisc90]

Charles took his 2/2 last weekend. So unless they fix those 2 he will be on a penalty

[Wouter]

We first have to wait if the CE (1e) and ES (1e) of Leclerc is still usable . If not he will face penalties.

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Wouldn't they not be penalized until they've used ALL of their allotted components, and had to take on additional components? They'll definitely face penalties at some point this season, but I don't believe that would be here.

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His 2 ES and 2 CE from Bahrain are done. He can't use them anymore.
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Now they are inspecting the two from before if they are usable. If not he will face penalties.

[basti313]

it's what they've done now with schumacher. Dude couldn't turn a wheel without crashing into something.

Just look how many people here complain about sausage kerbs in the middle of a parking lot (you also?) that may launch a car into the air. Here we had steel kerbs already launching two cars (also Sainz lost it on these kerbs, but in 2021 you still could save it) in a high speed section with walls around. With the current cars, these kerbs at this spot are just nonsense, nothing to do with Schumacher.

[organic]

[GoranF1]

Fully expect to see Ferrari on pole, or at least see them fighting for pole, not running away from that fight as in Bahrain. Overtaking won't be easy at all.

I expect Alonso in P3 chasing down Telemex driver towards end.

[organic]

I expect the main viable strategy to be a M/H 1-stop just as in '22

Last year the hard compound showed essentially 0 degradation. Leclerc was able to set the fastest lap with only a couple of laps to go on old hards

Bodes well for Ferrari/Merc who struggled with the tyres in Bahrain.

[Sevach]

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I think Ferrari will be closer here, and probably better than Aston.
Rear degradation much less of a factor, the SF23 has good straight line speed and high speed corner performance.

But not enough to truly trouble Red Bull, their car seems to have no cracks in their armor.

Why not enough? The two cars were literally equally fast over a single lap in Bahrain. Ferrari clearly have slight engine power advantage again this year, which will be even bigger factor in Jeddah likely. Drag isn't an issue for them anymore. Can't see any reason they won't compete at least, especially with Aston Martin potentially somewhere in the mix as well. All these people who expect to see the same race as in Bahrain are hopeless pessimists.

It's pretty simple, the areas where Ferrari is strong Red Bull can match them, whic unfortunately doesn't work in reverse.

[AR3-GP]

I expect a pretty entertaining race. The lack of tire deg levels the playing field. Ferrari and Aston Martin have very fast cars (along with RB). Mercedes might play a bit more as well.

[Sieper]

Imho Jeddah should be later on the calendar. When the teams/drivers know their cars better. Sainz f.e. Lost it quite hard in Bahrein a few times in FP. In Jeddah that could be an incredible hard crash. 3 test days, 1 track so far. And imho Jeddah is, as discussed already, one of the more dangerous tracks, the combination of very high speeds, blind corners and walls directly next to the track.

[AR3-GP]

Imho Jeddah should be later on the calendar. When the teams/drivers know their cars better. Sainz f.e. Lost it quite hard in Bahrein a few times in FP. In Jeddah that could be an incredible hard crash. 3 test days, 1 track so far. And imho Jeddah is, as discussed already, one of the more dangerous tracks, the combination of very high speeds, blind corners and walls directly next to the track.

Disagree. I think the teams are more than capable of getting on with it. The ground effects cars have so much high speed downforce as well.