The season opening Grand Prix in Bahrain during last weekend provided unexpected results and heralded a new era of wheel-to-wheel racing.
Here is what to expect from the second weekend of the double header and local times for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2022.
Important times to look out for:
Practice 1 (25 March) – 16:00 – 17:00
Practice 2 (25 March) – 19:00 – 20:00
Practice 3 (26 March) – 16:00 – 17:00
Qualifying (26 March) – 19:00 – 20:00
Race (27 March) – 19:00 – 21:00
Ferrari managed to return to their winning ways at the Bahrain International Circuit after their young driver lineup in Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz managed to hold off all of the other competition until the chequered flag dropped but this race weekend may not be so straightforward.
The track layout at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit has been altered since the teams and drivers were here only four months ago. Organisers ensured that improved visibility and safety for the tight street circuit be implemented for a circuit that boasts a 252 kmh average speed for pole position.
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2022, containing sweeping high speed corners, is also expected to favour the Red Bull team that found no luck in the closing stages of the Bahrain Grand Prix after both drivers retired with mechanical issues. Mercedes who have not yet unlocked the competitive potential of the W13 are also expected to close the qualifying gap in the street circuit that may prove to be better suited to their challenger. While this is unlikely, a 3 team battle for pole position would validate the closer competition that the FIA had hoped the regulation changes would bring.
The hotly contested battle for the ‘best of the rest’ was clinched by Haas’ Kevin Magnussen in the first race of the season but Alfa Romeo, Alpha Tauri and Apline are all in contention to keep the midfield theatrics as exciting as the battle for the top step of the podium.