After a cracking Bahrain Grand Prix, here is a guide to everything that you need to know as F1 heads to Jeddah for 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Ferrari enter this race as favourites after enjoying an one-two finish in Bahrain, yet will be under immense pressure from Red Bull as F1 returns to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, just over three months after the race made its debut.
Several teams meanwhile will be eager to build on a tough season-opener as the entire grid continue to develop their understanding of the new generation of cars in a season which promises the potential for high evolution across the pecking order.
Now, here is everything that you need to know ahead of 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from tyre selections to timings plus more.
Track Guide
Circuit: Jeddah Street Circuit
Laps: 50
Race Distance: 308.450km
Tyre Compounds: C2, C3 & C4
Schedule
| Date | Session | Time (GMT) |
| Friday 25 March | FP1 | 2:00pm |
| Friday 25 March | FP2 | 5:00pm |
| Saturday 26 March | FP3 | 2:00pm |
| Saturday 26 March | Qualifying | 5:00pm |
| Sunday 27 March | Race | 6:00pm* |
*Clocks go forward in the UK at 2am on Sunday 27 March meaning that the race will commence at 6pm (BST) for UK based fans.
Four Key Pointers
- Having debuted on the F1 calendar in December, this race should be fresh in the minds for many drivers as a circuit which favours speed especially on straight and through sweeping corners.
- Despite showing competitive pace in Bahrain, Red Bull’s reliability proved a concern with late failures for both cars so expect to see some adaptions around their fuel system to avoid a repeat scenario.
- Having lacked pace across single and race lap pace in Bahrain, Mercedes will be looking to reduce their deficit but will need chaos amongst frontrunners to stand a chance at a podium finish.
- With only five proper braking zones around this 27-corner circuit, McLaren should hopefully be more competitive than they were in Bahrain.
Last Time Out
F1’s inaugural trip to Jeddah failed to disappoint with two separate red flag incidents in the opening 16 laps, whilst Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen endured a race-long duel for victory, eventually won by Hamilton despite getting brake-tested six laps earlier by Verstappen.
Verstappen however settled for second which meant that he and Hamilton headed into the season finale in Abu Dhabi tied on 369.5 points, which Verstappen eventually won in controversial fashion to secure his first F1 title.