F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Preview and Predictions

With the 2023 F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on the horizon, alongside brewing storylines, it is time to preview the event and make predictions. The Jeddah Corniche Circuit always provides exciting racing, so this week’s race will hopefully continue that tradition.

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Notes

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in the port city of Jeddah, alongside the Red Sea. This 3.836 miles (6.174 km) circuit features three DRS zones and hosts a race length of 50 laps. The race will start at 1 p.m. EST on Sunday, March 19th.

Safety Improvements at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit

During its first two years on the F1, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit developed both a thrilling and dangerous reputation. The narrow streets and stringy layout provide exciting high-speed racing on a tight street circuit. That exciting racing however came along with some immensely dangerous qualities. Aside from the typical tight walls of any street circuit, the JCC featured quite a few blind corners. This meant drivers had no clue what was ahead and lacked measures to avoid incidents. This issue became apparent last season when Mick Schumacher had a horrific crash during qualifying. As a result, the designers made changes to the track this season.

Ahead of the 2023 race, the fences were moved back at specific parts of the track to add run-off areas and provide increased visibility. Additionally, speed reduction bumps called “rumble lines” and bevelled kerbs were added to reduce high-speed crashes. It is to be determined if it will make the circut noticeably safer, but where there are street circuits, there will be DNFs.

Prediction: At Least 4 Cars will not finish the race

Red Bull vs. The Field

Before the cars even took the track in Bahrain, Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing were labeled as the title favorites. Throughout the 2022 season, no team managed to hold a candle to their pace and durability. After the first checkered flag of 2023, many fans see the season as a doomed cause already. Max Verstappen won the opening race by over ten seconds, even with his engineer asking him to drive even slower. With the next race of the season heading to arguably the fastest track on the calendar, it begs the question; who can match Red Bull?

That question presents a grim answer, however. When Ferrari’s engines aren’t imploding, their tire degradation data is horrific. Aston Martin looks like they have strong pace, but they lack the top-end consistency of Red Bull. Then there is Mercedes, who lacks the overall strength of the prior two teams. This weekend will be a true test of Red Bull’s early-season power. If they dominate the field by a weird margin, this season could become boring at the top very quickly.

Prediction: Red Bull finish first and second

The Growing Mercedes and Aston Martin Battle

In the first week of the season, Aston Martin’s rise out of the midfield created one of the most interesting narratives to follow. The dark lord Fernando Alonso joined the team in the offseason and finished third in his first race under the Aston Martin banner. His teammate, Lance Stroll, finished in the top six as well. Their success breathes new life to an upper-grid battle that last season sorely lacked. This battle is both because of Aston Martin’s growth, but Mercedes’ failures.

Mercedes attempted a radical no sidepods design last season, which failed by Mercedes standards. Those design failures, paired with the third-best engine, leave them sitting in a purgatory they have not been in for almost a decade. Now with Aston Martin, who they supply engines to, showing them up on the track, the pressure is on. Both drivers and Toto Wolff have already publicly commented on the car design, which should sound alarm bells to CultLH fans. If Mercedes fails to return to the top of the grid, heads will roll sooner rather than later. Lawrence Stroll is a Bond villain now, but with an actual chance to win.

Prediction: Fernando Alonso finishes in the top five

The Midfield Madness

The new regulations from last season had the set purpose of making the field closer together with more battling for position. After a solid improvement in 2022, the first race of 2023 presented a promising case for better results in 2023. AlphaTauri and Williams surpassed expectations while the likes of McLaren and Alpine were brought back down to Earth from a lack of improvement. With one of the draggiest circuits on the calendar on the horizon, the fastest cars in a straight line should thrive in the race.

Prediction: Alex Albon finishes in the points

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