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Post by René on Mar 24, 2022 18:48:42 GMT
The second race of the year and the second race ever at the Jeddah Street Circuit. It’s only a couple of months ago since the inaugeral race at this super fast track.
What to expect? Given the race in Bahrain it’s reasonably safe to say that the battle for victory will again be between Ferrari and Red Bull. But they were so close both in qualy and the race that it’s impossible to say who will be ahead this weekend. The Jeddah track has very long straights so it will be crucial to have the porpoising effect under control. From the top teams it was Mercedes who suffered the most from this phenomenon but also teams like Aston Martin, Alpine and Williiams were hampered a lot by this effect. And what about Haas and Alfa Romeo? Will they be best of the rest again or surprise even more? And then of course McLaren. The disappointment must be huge there so hopefully they can unlock more performance from their car this weekend.
Charles had a little 'off' last year...
Will we see another Ferrari 1-2? Can Red Bull bounce back with a strong result? Did Mercedes find answers to the issues they faced in Bahrain? We’ll know soon.  |
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Post by Carl on Mar 24, 2022 23:42:03 GMT
I just learned that this circuit was designed by Carsten Tilke, son of Hermann! No wonder it has "areas of concern"...
I hope the neurotic tightness of the first two turns has been addressed. Below is what I advised after the first race:
"A redesigned pit exit partly subterranean and joining the track after Turn 3 would allow a more open (and less dangerous) first and second turns. A less abrupt Turn 22 would also improve safety, and if the importance of winning had not been warped by Mercedes and Red bull into infantile excess, this could have been a great race."
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Post by robmarsh on Mar 25, 2022 10:12:49 GMT
This circuit worries me more than any others with regard to danger. Those speeds through such narrow confines seems unnecessary to me. Ferrari went quite well here last year so hoping for a repeat of the previous race, Bahrain, result. It would be good to heap more pressure on Mercedes and Red Bull. After all isn't that the basis for a nutcracker?
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Post by René on Mar 25, 2022 10:58:59 GMT
I just learned that this circuit was designed by Carsten Tilke, son of Hermann! No wonder it has "areas of concern"... I hope the neurotic tightness of the first two turns has been addressed. Below is what I advised after the first race: "A redesigned pit exit partly subterranean and joining the track after Turn 3 would allow a more open (and less dangerous) first and second turns. A less abrupt Turn 22 would also improve safety, and if the importance of winning had not been warped by Mercedes and Red bull into infantile excess, this could have been a great race." Your analysis was spot on, Carl. I read that the changes done for this year are minimal though. It will be a big challenge again, certainly with the bigger front wheels and fenders. It's a dangerous place. Carsten Tilke... mmm. 
The Hulk will replace Seb again. But I can imagine '2022 Seb' won't feel too sorry about missing a trip to Saudi Arabia. |
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Post by charleselan on Mar 25, 2022 11:43:34 GMT
Mixed feelings about this event; obviously looking forward to yet more of what we were offered last weekend but the venue.............
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Post by René on Mar 25, 2022 18:51:12 GMT
No denying it's a spectacular and dangerous track!
The walls are very close as both Ferraris experienced and the speed difference between cars on a hot lap and cars slowing down is huge and often difficult to see for the drivers. But even more dangerous are the circumstances outside the track. A missile attack from Houthis on an Aramco oil facility only 10 miles from the circuit makes you wonder what F1 is doing here... F1 has been to many strange and dubious places over the decades but this must be the weirdest situation. But anyway...  ... business as usual. Ferrari and Red Bull on top. Then Mercedes and then, surprise, surprise, Lando Norris in the McLaren. Let's hope they can keep this up! |
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Post by Carl on Mar 26, 2022 2:26:45 GMT
I wonder if the contract includes a large residual payment to clever robber baron ecclestone for each Saudi race.
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Post by charleselan on Mar 26, 2022 11:36:43 GMT
It was interesting to read that the drivers were showing more signs of adulthood than their employers and the owners of the F1 Rights. But eventually were swayed to continue, apparently if just one driver pulled out the event would have been cancelled.
Rights Holders and FIA £££$$$€€€.
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Post by René on Mar 26, 2022 12:39:48 GMT
F1 lives in a bubble. It's a shame Seb isn't there as I am sure he would have objected to continue racing. Remember two years ago in Australia? The entire world was already aware of the seriousness of COVID but F1 still believed they could carry on as if nothing was happening. Lewis said on several occasions he didn't understand what they were doing there. And then finally the event was cancelled when it dawned to them what was going on in the rest of the world.
We can only keep our fingers crossed that nothing serious happens today and tomorrow in Jeddah. This is not a good place to go racing.
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Post by robmarsh on Mar 27, 2022 0:11:52 GMT
Agreed Rene. The driver's meeting and the team principles talking to them afterwards reminded me very strongly of Kyalami 1982. I was watching Peter Windsor's YouTube podcast after qualifying today and he has a bad feeling about this race.
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Post by Carl on Mar 27, 2022 0:40:34 GMT
This circuit worries me more than any others with regard to danger. Those speeds through such narrow confines seems unnecessary to me. Ferrari went quite well here last year so hoping for a repeat of the previous race, Bahrain, result. It would be good to heap more pressure on Mercedes and Red Bull. After all isn't that the basis for a nutcracker? Rob, I have the same worry and hope everyone walks away from tomorrow's race. |
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Post by René on Mar 27, 2022 11:03:35 GMT
It's a strange place with a strange atmosphere. Everyone is shocked about what's happening in Ukraine (justifiably) but a missile attack near the circuit is apparently normal...? I thought safety was so important in F1.
Not a positive vibe even if it's spectacular seeing the cars go at immense speed between the walls. It does show how good these guys really are though.
Spectacular pole for Sergio Pérez. He was fast all day but no one saw that one coming I think. The Red Bull has insane top speed but loses out on mechanical and aerodynamic grip to the Ferrari! Seems like the world upside down! And Lewis's early out!
Frightening crash for Mick but he seems to be okay. Let's hope for a good race without any issues so the circus can leave this country safe and sound.
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Post by René on Mar 27, 2022 21:34:47 GMT
Forgetting about politics, missiles and other obscenities, this was quite an exciting race! It’s going to be a great season when the battles between Charles and Max continue in this way. And they obviously enjoyed it too. Great stuff! More tomorrow… |
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Post by Carl on Mar 28, 2022 0:45:10 GMT
There was some great racing, especially through the Turn 1-2 chicane! Thank goodness and the skill of the drivers that serious accidents were avoided. At the initial start, the comparison between David Croft's hyperbolic excitement and Jenson Button's sensible calm was stark and embarrassing. One should have been sedated before the formation lap. Lewis Hamilton was often a center of attention only on Sky TV. Otherwise, he was a backmarker. Something is wrong when drivers lock up all 4 tyres to avoid leading away from a corner and when crossing the white line at pit entry is subject to penalty. I remember an Italian Grand Prix in the mid-60s when officials, worried that someone would wander dangerously, used traffic cones to mark which side of the start-finish straight was race track and which should be considered imaginary. After the race, Graham Hill drove slowly past the line of cones and stacked them into a tower. One day, with the stars in disarray and David Croft and Leigh Diffey improbably teamed in the broadcast booth, commentary will descend into hyperbolic nonsense so idiotic as to cause short-term audience stupor.  |
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Post by chrisb on Mar 28, 2022 9:02:14 GMT
I listened to it on the radio and was mightily impressed with Sam Bird's realistic comments and his quick wit, sadly the lead commentator was lacking in both, we had quite a lot of mentions for Lewis who I thought just seemed to go through the motions almost as if he didn't want to be there as the country offended his morals, perhaps I am quite wrong but it just seemed lacklustre - especially when you consider George's race
It must be one of my rarest of occasions when I was sad a Ferrari didn't win....[what am I saying?] but all credit to Max he drove a very good race, what I was not impressed by was Max's constant flow of supposed Charles's infringements - thought that was crass and beneath a champion - also a bit surprised by Carlos - really thought he was going to be amongst them, and expected Checa to be more at the end of the race, I was seriously impressed with George - thought he extracted all he could from a reluctant car and great to see Jan doing well again, wasn't sure about the Renault's inter-fighting and then all those surprising retirements
I listened to a lot of debates about the suitability of the circuit for F1, politics and murder notwithstanding, and having watched as many highlights as possible - it is just wrong on so many levels - with all their wealth why not build a 'safe' but interesting circuit, I mean you could look at some of the amazing American circuits and use them as a template but make them 'safer' personally I would be happy if we never returned and fear that that Saudi's may well see how popular MotoGP is......
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... business as usual. Ferrari and Red Bull on top. Then Mercedes and then, surprise, surprise, Lando Norris in the McLaren. Let's hope they can keep this up!
