For the third consecutive year, Formula 1 returns to Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia. A high-speed street circuit, which, having totally different characteristics from those of Bahrain, represents another important element in understanding the true potential of the 2023 single-seaters. FP2, given the time in which they took place, they are perhaps the most indicative session to understand at what stage the various teams are in the preparation work for the weekend. Jeddah is a circuit in itself, and for this reason and for the position it occupies on the calendar when everything is still at stake, it can reserve several surprises. Let's see what our picks are at the Fanta F1.
Open fight
Everyone is studying the layout down to the millimeter to figure out where to get the hundredth key. Red Bull she immediately found herself at ease, and tried several times the attack time for Pole with an engine with more aggressive mapping, having already found the first confirmations on the pace of the RB19 in the race. Mercedes, despite the good performance in fast corners, is not fully satisfied with the W14 which in upcoming races will undergo a complete restyling.
Ferrari, among the others, is the one that started the most conservatively and leaves the most doubts. Before being able to unleash the power of the engine, the team tested the new features including the single pylon rear wing which did not convince in Bahrain. Compared to last year, the Maranello team immediately got into trouble, and the worst scenario was experienced right in the first race of the season which brought the first consequences.
Charles Leclerc in Jeddah he will start with 10 penalty positions due to the change of the third control unit. The first two are irrecoverable so it is probable that other penalties will follow. The only hope for the Monegasque is to qualify as far forward as possible, with the unknown race. Overtaking in Jeddah is possible with the long straights but the risk is also high. From a Fanta F1 perspective, we remind you that Leclerc, having to serve a penalty in the race, will take 0 in qualifying, even if he does Pole. Ferrari will only be able to attack with Sainz. Aston Martin's pace casts doubt on any certainty of the Reds as second force even if we must consider that Ferrari has not shown the true power of the SF-23.
Who to deploy
The times seen in FP2 – with 6 different cars in just over 7 tenths – also open up an interesting scenario for the race in which the DNF risk – especially if there is such a united group – is just around the corner. When choosing which pilots to deploy, you are spoiled for choice. But having to line up 5 of them, here's which ones we feel like betting on with a maximum of 100 credits. Red Bull cannot be missing, the number one candidate above all for the race, but also Aston Martin which, should it confirm itself here too after the podium in Bahrain, could begin to define itself as a truly competitive single-seater.
VERSTAPPEN - ALONSO - GASLY - ALBON - HULKENBERG
Forecasts
Jeddah is really unpredictable. A citizen with close walls but very high speeds. The risk is high and to remind us of this is Mick Schumacher's accident in 2022 in qualifying. Risk that we wanted to embrace again this year. So here are the forecasts we have chosen for this weekend. We remind you to deploy by 17:59 on Saturday.
Safety Car: YES
Virtual Safety Car: YES
Red Flag: YES
Drivers distinguish between wet/full wet tires in the race: DO NOT
Team double in the race: DO NOT
Driver who starts on pole wins the race: SI
Stables to bring both riders into the top 10: 3
Drivers forced to retire: 4
