Formula 1 2024 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix: Preview, Predictions, Race Schedule and Circuit Details

• The Formula 1 circus rolls on to Saudi Arabia for the second race of 2024
• Red Bull Racing have continued their dominance from the 2023 season
• Sports Brief highlights a preview of the 2024 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

‘Simply lovely’ were the words of Max Verstappen after storming to a 22-second victory at the opening races of the 2024 Formula 1 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The narrative of the 2024 season mirrors that of its 2023 counterpart, with the Milton Keynes outfit not only dominating the weekend with their Dutch prodigy, but also securing a strong second place with Sergio Perez at the Bahrain International Circuit.

However, since the thrilling race in Sakhir, the F1 world has been rocked by a whirlwind of upheaval and unexpected revelations, unveiling long-guarded secrets to the public eye.

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As the turmoil ensues at Red Bull, with the controversy surrounding Team Principal, Christian Horner, escalating, reports from Planet F1 have shed light on an investigation into Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, for alleged interference in the outcome of the 2023 Saudi GP.

In the midst the off-track drama, teams such as Mercedes AMG and Alpine are fervently seeking redemption following their setbacks in the opening race, as they gear up for the second round of the season at the Jeddah circuit.

Nonetheless, ensuring you are in on the on-track drama, Sports Brief offers a comprehensive preview, insightful predictions, and the race schedule for the upcoming 2024 Saudi Arabia GP.

Saudi Arabia Grand Prix schedule

The 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is scheduled to take place from March 7th to March 9th, featuring a series of sessions and events spread over three days:

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March 7th:

- Practice 1 at 16:30 (GMT +3)

- Practice 2 at 20:00 (GMT +3)

March 8th:

- Practice 3 at 16:30 (GMT +3)

- Qualifying at 20:00 (GMT +3)

March 9th:

- Grand Prix at 20:00 (GMT +3)

Saudi Grand Prix preview

Based on the thrilling opening round of the season, it's safe to say we're in for another season dominated by the ‘Dutch anthem.’

Verstappen and Red Bull are poised to clinch yet another race victory, having shown superior performance in Sakhir. With reports of an upcoming upgrade for the team, the potential of the RB20 car seems limitless.

Verstappen's commanding display was best encapsulated by Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff, who, in a post-race debriefing, remarked, as quoted by RacingNews365,

"Max is not just in a different league, but in a different galaxy - his performance is simply extraordinary."

While Verstappen seems destined for his 56th race victory, the real excitement lies in the battle among the other teams for the podium spots behind the Red Bulls.

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Ferrari demonstrated their prowess, with Carlos Sainz securing third place in Bahrain. However, the team's perennial reliability issue resurfaced with Charles Leclerc facing brake imbalance problems, costing him precious time on track.

Mercedes, despite promising showings in pre-season and qualifying, faltered on race day, settling for fifth and seventh-place finishes. McLaren, too, struggled to match their form from the previous season, but CEO, Zak Brown, remains optimistic about a resurgence.

Amidst the flurry of reflections following the Bahrain GP, one team left many disappointed - Alpine. Their lacklustre performance saw them languishing at the bottom of the grid, resembling road cars competing against F1 machines.

However, the French team are determined to bounce back, announcing significant technical restructuring. The resignations of Technical Director, Matt Harman, and Head of Aerodynamics, Dirk de Beer, signal a potential shift in direction, with former Mercedes Technical Director, Mike Elliot, rumoured as a replacement. Whether these changes will translate into immediate success for the Enstone-based team remains to be seen.

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Saudi Grand Prix prediction

Based on the prevailing sentiment in the paddock, it seems likely that Verstappen and Red Bull will achieve another dominant performance at the Jeddah Circuit. Additionally, we anticipate that Verstappen will be closely followed by his Mexican teammate, especially given Perez's demonstrated proficiency on street circuits.

Saudi GP Circuit Information

Circuit Name: Jeddah Corniche Circuit

Debut Grand Prix: 2021

Total Laps: 50

Track Length: 6.174 kilometres

Race Distance: 308.45 kilometres

Lap Record: 1:30.734 - Lewis Hamilton (2021)

Saudi GP Previous Winners

2023: Sergio Perez - Red Bull

2022: Max Verstappen - Red Bull

2021: Lewis Hamilton - Mercedes

Contenders for Verstappen’s crown

In another report, Sports Brief highlights three drivers who could challenge Verstappen for the 2024 championship.

The Dutch driver is widely predicted to dominate every race of the 2024 season.

The three-time world champion already won the first race of the season with a staggering 22-second gap.