27/03/2022
NEWS STORY
It's not often that you'll find us quoting Bette Davis, but in all honesty as we anticipate this evening's race all we can think of is her immortal line in the 1950 classic All About Eve, when she warned: "Buckle up, it's going to be a bumpy ride."
As is so often the case these days, when the concept of the Jeddah circuit was first conceived it was very much a case of style over substance, the superlatives were all that mattered... fastest... longest... most dangerous.
It's a horrible track, a virtual accident waiting to happen.
Last year's incident-filled race was largely forgotten courtesy of the controversy of the race that followed just one week later, but make no mistake this is a track that - much like Monza - has tragedy written all over it, only in this case it appears almost intentional.
Such was the desire to fulfil all those superlatives it appears the very thought of safety was put to one side.
Consequently we go into this evening's race with trepidation, fearful that one of those out of position drivers might push just a little too hard, on a track that is unforgiving, whilst also unwilling to tell you what fate has in store for you around the next corner.
While potential disaster awaits those from rows four thru ten, even those at the front cannot take anything for granted, for this is a track that bites... hard.
In its preview of the event, Mercedes warned of a 100% chance of a safety car, and few would argue with that. Let's not forget that just three months ago the inaugural race featured the race featuring numerous incidents that resulted in one safety car period, two red flags, and four virtual safety car periods.
Following his heavy crash yesterday, Mick Schumacher was back at the track today, with Haas admitting that had had second thoughts about re-entering him. In all honesty, the youngster should thank his lucky stars and sit this one out.
While we expect a thriller, with strategy playing a major part, we'll be happy to simply get through the evening safely, therefore there are no predictions, merely the desire to a good, safe race.
On paper a one-stop strategy should be fastest, focussing on the hard and the medium compounds. However, a lot will depend on degradation levels. If they are high, then a two-stopper is also a good option, being almost as quick as a one-stopper.
In this case the medium looks like the preferred tyre to begin the race, followed by a central stint on the hard and a final run on the medium. But there is also the possibility to use all three compounds, maybe keeping the softs for the final stint.
As seen in qualifying and the F2 sessions, there's a high probability of red flags, safety cars and other delays, which can completely disrupt the strategy. So while there is a theoretically optimal strategy calculation to work from, in reality the teams will have to just think on their feet and adapt to the race circumstances, which can change very quickly.
The pitlane opens and the drivers begin to head out. Among the first is Verstappen.
"Lost engine, lost engine," reports Tsunoda who has stopped on the run-off at Turn 7, having failed to post a time in qualifying following a "suspected" water system issue. "That's the end," he is told, "you can jump out."
And then there were 18.
"It was a set-up experiment that went wrong," admits Toto Wolff when asked about Hamilton's qualifying disaster.
Let's not forget, that with both cars having clouted the wall in FP2, Ferrari has relatively little data on high-fuel running here.
Ahead of the formation lap, the air temperature is 25 degrees C, while the track temperature is 29 degrees.
All are starting on the mediums bar Magnussen, Hamilton and Hulkenberg who are on hards. All three hard runners are using used hards while Stroll is the only driver on used mediums.
They head off on the formation lap, all getting away.
Russell locking-up as he heads into the final corner, trying to generate heat into his tyres.
The grid forms, Perez leading the way.
They're away. Perez gets off the line well and covers Leclerc, As they heads into Turn 1, Verstappen is on the inside of Sainz. The Spaniard is held up by his Ferrari teammate and consequently Verstappen is through to third.
All get away well bar Zhou who appears to get away well before finding himself struggling with the car into Turn 1 and clouting Ricciardo in the process. "Same problem again," he shouts.
No clashes, no silliness, and at the end of Lap 1, it's: Perez, Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Ocon, Russell, Alonso, Bottas, Magnussen and Gasly. Hamilton is fourteenth.
A bold move in Turn 1 at the start of Lap 2 sees Norris pass Gasly for 10th.
Russell passes Ocon for 5th with a bold move in the final corner.
The stewards have noted an incident involving Magnussen and Norris at Turn 4 earlier.
After 3 laps, Perez leads by 1.7 as he and his Red Bull teammate trade fastest sector times.
Ocon makes a late, late move on his teammate Alonso which almost ends in disaster.
Clearly rattled, Alonso continues to battle with his teammate.
Norris and Albon have times deleted after exceeding the track limits in Turn 2. Is that still a thing?
Alonso passes his teammate on the main straight, and while the Frenchman tries to fight back the two-time world champion holds station. Otmar Szafnauer will be having a heart attack.
"The lights on the back of Leclerc's car do not work," warns Verstappen.
The Dutchman is 1.5s down on Leclerc while Sainz has dropped 3s behind.
Ocon passes Alonso at the start of Lap 8, however, in the process he misses the first corner and will have to hand the position back. He duly hands the position back and in the process is almost passed by Bottas.
As Ocon is all over the back of his teammate, he has Bottas and Magnussen for company... very close company.
Ricciardo pits at the end of lap 8, he rejoins in last position.
"We are going Plan A, our degradation is better than Red Bull's," Leclerc is told.
Elsewhere, Hamilton passes Stroll for 12th.
Russell in a lonely 5th, 10s down on Sainz and 7s ahead of the Alpines.
Magnussen makes a move on Bottas in Turn 1 but runs too deep.
The stewards are investigating an incident involving Zhou and Albon.
Hamilton makes an easy move on Norris heading into Turn 27 to claim 11th.
Ocon goes off track in Turn 1 again as the Alpine antics continue.
Check out our Sunday gallery from Jeddah, here.
Zhou is handed a 5s time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage.
"Hold position," Ocon is told. Moments later however, the Frenchman is passed - with relative ease - by Bottas.
Stroll pits at the end of lap 13, as Albon also stops.
Told he's had his first strike on track limits, Magnussen says he had to run wide to avoid Bottas.
"Box to overtake," Leclerc is told, however he remains out while Perez pits. The Mexican rejoins in 5th right behind Russell. Gasly also stops.
Out come the yellows as Latifi is in the barriers at the final corner.
The VSC is deployed.
"I don't know what happened there... man," says the Canadian, echoing his inner Johnny Rotten.
Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz and Russell all pit as the Safety Car is deployed.
As more drivers pit, this has worked out badly for Perez who has dropped to third.
Replay shows Latifi getting on the power a little too quickly as he exited the final corner.
So, behind the Safety Car, after 16 laps, it's: Leclerc, Verstappen, Perez, Sainz, Russell, Magnussen, Hamilton, Alonso, Hulkenberg and Bottas. Though Magnussen and Hamilton haven't pitted, nor has the other driver who started on hards, Hulkenberg.
Zhou serves his time penalty.
"He pushed me off, I was ahead, the FIA needs to judge this," says Sainz of a move Perez made on him after the Safety Car line as the Mexican exited the pits.
Indeed, the incident has been noted.
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of lap 20.
Ahead of the restart, Verstappen is all over Leclerc, almost alongside the Ferrari.
Russell makes a great move on Magnussen in Turn 1, the Mercedes driver catching the Haas on the back foot.
Meanwhile, Perez has handed third place back to Sainz.
Hamilton is all over Magnussen as they battle for 6th, both on 20 lap old hards.
Leclerc and Verstappen trade fastest sectors as the Ferrari driver posts a new fastest lap (34.075).
Hulkenberg doing a great job holding off Bottas on those used hards.
Hamilton passes Magnussen in the final corner - a favourite spot of the Briton - however, on sheer grunt - and DRS - the Haas subsequently retakes the position.
Bottas passes Hulkenberg for 9th.
At the start of lap 25, Hamilton passes Magnussen but this time the Dane cannot rely on DRS.
The stewards claim that Zhou hasn't served his penalty as is therefore under investigation, as Verstappen complains that Leclerc crossed the white line that marks the pit entry.
A bold move sees Ricciardo pass Hulkenberg for 11th.
Zhou now has a drive-through penalty for not serving his time penalty.
"I had a miss-shift, I don't know why," reports Sainz.
Norris passes Hulkenberg for 12th.
Lap 27 sees a new fastest lap from Verstappen (33.059). Next time around Leclerc responds with a 32.711.
Gasly is next to pick off the struggling Hulkenberg.
No further investigation of that Perez/Sainz incident.
"Tyres still OK," reports Hamilton.
Bottas is harrying Alonso who is 1.36s down on Magnussen.
"Let Leclerc use up his tyres," Verstappen is told, "we can apply pressure later."
At which point the Monegasque posts a 32.683.
"For us, it's just trying to go as long on this, hope for another safety car," Hulkenberg is told.
Heading down the pit straight to begin lap 35, Alonso sweeps past Magnussen to take 7th.
Perez loses ground as he runs too deep into Turn 1, he is now 2.7s down on Sainz.
Lap 35 sees a new fastest lap for Verstappen (32.474).
Bottas makes his second stop at the end of lap 35 as Alonso suddenly slows. "No power," warns the Spaniard.
"Cool the car," flashes a warning on the Alpine's dash.
Bottas has rejoined in 16th.
Meanwhile, Ricciardo has slowed on the pit straight. "I've got no drive," he warns as his car stops short of the pitlane entrance.
As the yellows are waved, Bottas has retired.
Magnussen pits, switching to mediums he rejoins in 12th. Hulkenberg pits at the moment the pitlane is closed.
The VSC is deployed as Ricciardo's car is pushed to safety and Alonso's Alpine is rescued.
"Too late," sighs Hamilton as he is told to pit after he had passed the pit entrance.
Under the VSC, it's: Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Perez, Russell, Hamilton, Ocon, Norris, Gasly and Stroll.
"Are we in trouble or not," asks Hamilton, "are we okay with strategy?" He is assured that all is fine and too keep his head down. He is the only driver yet to stop.
The VSC is withdrawn, on lap 41, and Hamilton is told he will pit as soon as the pitlane opens.
He subsequently stops, rejoining in 12th on new mediums.
Verstappen is right up with Leclerc, almost pushing the Ferrari beyond its limit.
No messing! Verstappen, courtesy of DRS, passes Leclerc into Turn 27, however the Monegasque subsequently retakes the place by going deep into Turn 1.
Perez, 2.4s down on third-placed Sainz, posts a new fastest lap (32.205).
Next time around, Verstappen tries it again, they both lock-up, but Leclerc holds station. "He crossed the line again," shouts the Dutchman.
"Calm down, lets us do our work," Verstappen is told. "Keep your head down."
Check out our Sunday gallery from Jeddah, here.
Hamilton makes a move on Stroll, but the Canadian will not yield. They are battling for tenth.
At the end of lap 46, Verstappen is right with the Ferrari. As they exit the corner he passes and as they head into Turn 1 the world champion keeps the position as Leclerc runs deep.
Down in ninth, those mediums don't appear to be helping Magnussen as he remains 5.3s down on Gasly but 4.7s ahead of Hamilton.
Verstappen posts a new fastest lap (31.779).
Albon has had a coming together with Stroll, they both continue but yellows are waved.
"The idiot just dive-bombed me," complains the Canadian.
The leaders begin the final lap, separated by just 0.456s.
"How did he close up, that's so unfair!" shouts Verstappen.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman takes the flag, ahead of Leclerc, Sainz, Perez, Russell, Ocon, Norris, Gasly, Magnussen and Hamilton.
Zhou is eleventh, ahead of Hulkenberg, Stroll and Albon.
Well, thankfully our fears were unfounded, though the race can still be classed as incident filled.
A great victory for Verstappen, though Leclerc will have every right to feel disappointed. Though we are just two races in, this really is shaping up to be classic, with both teams, looking fully prepared to battle all the way.
Russell takes a much needed fifth for Mercedes as the German team seeks to sort out its issues in time for Melbourne, tenth for the seven-time champion surely little consolation.
Alpine gave us one of the best battle of the afternoon, though it remains to be seen if that scrap ultimately proved costly for Alonso.
Under the circumstances, McLaren has to be happy with Norris' seventh, likewise AlphaTauri which has had a difficult weekend.
While Haas might be happy with ninth, one wonders if the American outfit opted for the wrong strategy, especially as the car appears to have great pace - as do all the Ferrari-powered cars.
"Perez got unlucky with the Safety Car," admits Sainz, "but rules are rules. After that it was all about holding on to P3.
"For me this race was progress from Bahrain," he adds, "I found more rhythm with the car, still some tenths to find but I'll get there."
"It wasn't enough today," adds teammate Leclerc, "but, oh my god, I really enjoyed that race!
"It was hard racing but fair," he grins, "every race should be like this.
"We are on a street track, we've been pushing like I've rarely pushed before, so there is respect, but I'm also a little disappointed," he admits.
"A good race, we were battling hard," says Verstappen, in a masterpiece of understatement. "We just had to play the long game, the tyres were wearing out quite quick.
"It wasn't easy, eventually managed to get ahead... just really happy to kick-start the season."
Check out our Sunday gallery from Jeddah, here.