All the data to follow the race with · RaceFans

With 4 totally different automobiles within the high 4 locations, plus championship chief Lando Norris beginning down in tenth, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix guarantees to be an intriguing race.

Method 1 is utilizing softer tyres in a bid to encourage extra strategic variation within the race, which has been pretty predictable prior to now. Will the change make a distinction?

Right here’s the important thing data for following at present’s 50-lap grand prix.

Climate

Extra of the identical is forecast for Sunday night time in Jeddah. The nice and cozy however cooling temperatures can be a lot as they have been in qualifying.

Begin

Jeddah has one of many shortest runs to the primary nook of any observe on the calendar.

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Distance from pole place to first braking zone. Supply: Mercedes

Final 12 months Max Verstappen, as he does once more at present. On that event he instantly moved to his left to maintain Charles Leclerc, second, behind him.

This left Leclerc susceptible to Sergio Perez, who began third, however the Purple Bull driver wasn’t capable of cross the Ferrari.

Verstappen moved left instantly initially final 12 months

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Technique

Final 12 months drivers selected the next compounds to start out the race on:

Method 1’s official tyre provider Pirelli has introduced tyres that are one stage softer than final 12 months. Nonetheless drivers have been capable of run that medium (the equal of this 12 months’s arduous) for as many as 41 of the 50 laps. Due to this fact, even with the marginally hotter temperatures than final 12 months, drivers are probably to have the ability to full the race with a single pit cease once more.

A pit cease prices round 15 seconds at Jeddah, which is lower than at many different tracks.

Pirelli has not but confirmed which units of dry climate tyres every driver has accessible for the grand prix. The info can be added right here when it’s printed.

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Overtaking

There have been no modifications to the DRS zones from final 12 months. Jeddah has three, clustered in the direction of the tip of the lap.

Pace entice

Pole winner Verstappen has one of many quickest automobiles within the pace entice. Nonetheless the unfold from quickest pace to lowest isn’t significantly massive this weekend.

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Security Vehicles

As a result of restricted quantity of run-off at a number of factors across the circuit, interruptions will not be unusual at Jeddah.

Nonetheless the observe’s high-speed nature additionally means crashes will be critical sufficient to trigger crimson flags. Any groups which suspect the race could also be red-flagged may keep away from pitting, within the hope they may be capable to make their necessary tyre change whereas the race is neutralised.

A number of drivers took benefit of the chance to try this in the course of the inaugural race. Lando Norris was amongst those that misplaced out consequently and described F1’s crimson flag rules because the “worst rule ever invented.” Nonetheless it stays unchanged.