F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Preview

F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Preview

F1‘s inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is just around the corner; Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton is on pole while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen lines up P3; Formula Two returns; both championships could be sealed this weekend!

Formula Two returns

Formula Two has returned this weekend, after a nine week break, as the supporting series to F1’s venture into Saudi Arabia.

Prema’s Oscar Piastri leads the F2 drivers championship after the driver secured a win in the second sprint race. This means the New Zealander stands 43 points ahead of his teammate Robert Shwartzman, who stands second in the standings.

Only four races remain in the F2 season, with the Feature Race due prior to the F1 race later on today. Then the junior series jets off to join F1 in Abu Dhabi, for its own conclusion, a week later.

STANDINGS@OscarPiastri and @PREMA_Team are well out in front, with just four races remaining ?#SaudiArabianGP ?? #F2 pic.twitter.com/IHs9QFwNFL

— Formula 2 (@Formula2) December 4, 2021

Hamilton on pole, Verstappen P3

As the championship starts to boil over, Hamilton trails in the championship by eight points as Verstappen leads on 351.5 points.

In the run up to qualifying Hamilton topped the timing boards in both Friday’s practice sessions but Red Bull’s Dutch driver topped the third practice session on Saturday. However, when qualifying rolled around, Hamilton came out on top.

Verstappen looked to be on course to steal pole position away from the reigning world champion but a lock up into the final corner, followed by a collision with the barrier, ruined that opportunity.

This means that Verstappen will line up behind the gearbox of his title rival in the penultimate race of the season. With a good start, there’s a good chance the 33 Red Bull could steal second from Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas as the pack goes into turn one.

A MASSIVE POLE POSITION FOR LEWIS HAMILTON IN JEDDAH!!! ?

AND VALTTERI MAKES IT AN-ALL BLACK ARROWS FRONT ROW! ? #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/D9ItiikDsb

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 4, 2021

Both championships up for grabs this weekend

When F1 landed in Saudi Arabia, permutations on how the championship could be won for both Verstappen (in the drivers championship) and Mercedes (in the constructors championship).

Both title fights will be a tough one to secure this weekend, for both parties.

Verstappen, as a minimum, needs to secure P2 with the fastest lap, while Hamilton doesn’t score. On the other hand, if the Dutchman wins, Hamilton has to be in P6 or lower for the championship to be decided this weekend.

In the constructors, Mercedes leads with 546.5 points – five more than Red Bull, who only have 541.5 points. If Mercedes score more than 40 points in Jeddah, then the Silver Arrows will secure the constructors championship with one race still to go.

With a front row lock-out for Mercedes, with Hamilton on pole position, it look as if the constructors title has a higher chance of being secured this weekend.

? REMINDER ?

Lights out in Jeddah is at 8.30pm local time (1730 GMT). Don't miss it!#SaudiArabianGP ?? #F1 pic.twitter.com/cU1fo5kDN4

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 5, 2021

We hope you enjoyed the article: F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Preview. Will the drivers or constructors championship be sealed this weekend? Let us know what you think in the comments!

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