In 2021 Formula 1 has served up what is easily going to be one of the most memorable seasons in the last two decades. With breath-taking racing on-track F1 and commercial rights holder, Liberty Media, has also taken F1 to venues that have never before formed part of the calendar. Some of those venues, over the last two years, have produced inspired racing while other additions have raised some eyebrows.
There will be no beating around the proverbial bush in acknowledging that this weekend’s race in Saudi Arabia is a controversial addition to the calendar. The vociferous debate around Saudi Arabia’s human rights, and women’s rights, are, arguably, the most prominent issues within which there exists stern opposition. These issues are as pressing and vital to address as any other. But the reality is that it is not only Saudi Arabia which is a controversial venue for F1. Countries such as Bahrain, Russia, Hungary, even China continue to form part of the calendar despite their own questionable approaches to human rights and equality. Stefano Domenicalli, group CEO of F1, has stated that his hope that is to stimulate a conversation around these issues by bringing a global sport to these countries.
In the meantime, the show will go on around what is being billed at the world’s fastest street circuit. As the second longest track on the 2021 calendar the Jeddah Corniche circuit’s 6.175 km will three DRS zones and run for a total of 50 laps in Sunday’s race. The track, divided into a hefty 27 turns, is a high-speed rollercoaster through the floodlit streets on the shores of the Red Sea. Due to its flowing, high-speed nature most of the corners are likely to be driven at full throttle with an estimated top speed being set at 322 kph. To illustrate the high-speed nature of this circuit computer simulations put the average speed of a lap around 252 kph.
It begs the question then as to whether this track will suit Mercedes or Ferrari? Throughout the season high-speed circuit have been the bread-and-butter of Mercedes. What’s more, Mercedes is also expected to fit Hamilton’s fresh Brazil engine to his car. This will undoubtedly give Hamilton an advantage in terms of horse power. Couple this with Mercedes’ and Hamilton’s form over the last few race weekends and you have yourself a team and driver sitting somewhat pretty. Nevertheless, if anything is known of Max Verstappen and Red Bull it is they won’t go quietly, if at all. After all, one of the biggest flubs of this entire season has been believing that one track will suit either Mercedes or Red Bull only to show up and be proven categorically wrong. Circuit designer Herman Tilke believes that a powerful engine would help but that the fast corners could give Red Bull the advantage. But comments and computer simulations are just that – speculation. And as the stop watch never lies it’s only on-track on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday that will reveal the truth of each car and driver’s performance.
As it stands Max Verstappen will start the weekend with an eight-point lead over Lewis Hamilton. Mathematically, Verstappen could clinch the title this weekend. However, unlikely this permutation is what we have learned from F1 2021 is not to rule out anything. Nevertheless, it remains a fairly unlikely outcome. And should Hamilton win, and score an extra point for fastest lap, with Verstappen in second place it will move the championship fight on to Abu Dhabi with both drivers equal on points. Spicy indeed.
