These are very dangerous streets in the second round of the Formula 1 World Championship. The second fastest track on the calendar contains a unique concept in its supersonic nature and in the proximity of the walls: risk. A series of 27 curves and two straights that come together like the waves of a snake and that facilitate forecasts: there will be a safety car, almost impossible to avoid accidents with the walls with no escape so close to the track.
The theory says that it is not the ideal scenario for the Aston Martin, but the car driven by Fernando Alonso showed arguments in Bahrain to feel like a protagonist again.
The Jeddah track has only been around for two years in F1, but it has already acquired a natural certificate for being so prone to accidents. The maiden race in 2021 lived two red flags (stop of the test) and four virtual safety cars (the race is slowed down without the possibility of overtaking and without taking the emergency car onto the track).
Last year’s event featured a ‘safety car’ and two virtual ones. A call to collisions or interrupts.
The grace of this track lies in the fact that it has more curves than any other in the World Championship (27), but the drivers achieve almost unbeatable average speeds (242 kilometers/hour). Only in Monza is driving faster (248 km/h).
The danger comes from this paradox: the pilots risk their mustaches rolling at a speed similar to that of the fastest track of the season, but brushing against concrete walls that cause terrifying accidents, like the one last year involving Mick Schumacher. Turns 1 and 27, the first and the last are the usual overtaking points in Jeddah.
curves
(16 left -11 right)
running direction
(contrary to
clockwise)
curves
(16 left -11 right)
Sense of
carrera
(contrary to
clockwise)
“It is a circuit that I like. It is the fastest urban in the world, there is a lot of adrenaline when you drive here and it is also very dangerous, it has that extra factor when you drive”, comments Fernando Alonso.
Strategy is often dictated by incidents in the race, which means teams must be prepared for late calls to the pits for a tire change.
The Aston Martin was very resounding in the Bahrain race, less tire degradation than Ferrari or Mercedes on an abrasive track, better exit from slow corners, more speed in the final stretch of the test.
The euphoria that has raised the performance of Aston Martin and the Spanish driver, protagonist in Arabia, is in the environment. Alonso prefers prudence before putting together the party.
“A win would be great, but you have to keep your feet on the ground. The objective of the team this weekend is to maintain maximum concentration, keep things simple, not have complications, not invent strange things… You have to have confidence in the car and settings that allow you to take risks and get close to the walls ».
