With average speeds in excess of 250 km/h, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit is quite simply the fastest street circuit ever seen in the history of Formula 1.
The venue’s 27-turn, 6.175 km layout features several lengthy full-throttle sections that cater to low drag settings as well as stretches of fast and sinuous corners that require more downforce.
Many F1 teams brought circuit-specific updates to Jeddah, with a focus on reducing drag, precisely to better serve the track's high-speed demands.
While McLaren dominated the weekend’s practice sessions, and did so by a comfortable margin, come Saturday’s Q3 shootout, Team Papaya was forced to bow to an imperial Max Verstappen, with Oscar Piastri conceding 0.010s to his Red Bull rival.
Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg was awarded bragging rights for clocking in as the fastest driver in a straight line during qualifying, but Verstappen’s maximum velocity was right up there at the sharp end of the speed trap readings, well clear of Piastri.
However, it was the RB21’s solid aero efficiency – low drag and good downforce – that proved Verstappen’s most valuable ally in qualifying, according to Formula Data Analysis.
McLaren and Mercedes’ contenders both enjoyed unmatched downforce but both cars also produced higher drag than their Red Bull counterpart, while Ferrari’s compromise left it slower overall.
Interestingly, all three sectors were divided up into three different cars, with Verstappen surprisingly quickest in the twisty S1, Russell fastest in S2 and Piastri quickest in S3, even despite the MCL39’s speed deficit.
It’s worth noting that Verstappen benefitted from a tow in the first sector provided by his Red Bull teammate, Yuki Tsunoda. Was it worth 0.010s? Probably, and even more.
Can Max Pull Off Another 'Suzuka' Upset?
Can the four-time world champion hold his own up ahead and deliver another ‘Suzuka’ masterclass? We doubt it, although one must never underestimate Max’s bravery and consistency in such a hostile and high-speed environment.
The Dutchman will likely be hard pressed to fend off Piastri’s highly efficient McLaren, and perhaps even George Russell’s impressive Mercedes.
When it comes to strategies, a one-stopper is on paper the quickest way, with the favoured order being Medium-Hard. But that implies low-deg, a McLaren quality.
But then again, on a track that takes no prisoners and where Safety Car interventions have been the norm rather than the exception, anything goes.
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Jeddah Speed Trap: Who is the fastest of them all? F1i.com.
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