Perez hopes it will be his turn to win in Jeddah

Red Bull will start as favourites again in Saudi Arabia on Sunday but this time Sergio Perez hopes to keep double Formula One champion team mate Max Verstappen off the top step of the podium.

The Mexican started from pole position last year at Jeddah's Corniche circuit and had the floodlit night race seemingly under control until a pitstop and unfortunately-timed safety car wrecked his chances.

Perez was runner-up to Verstappen in the Bahrain season-opener on March 5 with some predicting Red Bull could win all 23 races this year such was their domination.

Sunday will give another indication of just how big an advantage they really enjoy, and whether Perez can be anything more than a support act for his Dutch team mate.

"It will be very interesting to see how everyone performs in Jeddah this week, it is a very different track to Bahrain," said Perez.

"I was very unlucky last year with the timing of the safety car while leading the race so hopefully it can be my turn to win."

Jeddah will also provide further insight into whether Ferrari can get back in the fight on straight-line speed and what Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin can do next.

EMOTIONAL STORY

Alonso's third place for his much-improved team was the emotional story of the Bahrain race with the 41-year-old Spaniard emerging as closest rival to the Red Bull pair.

"I am curious to go to Jeddah and Australia. Very different circuits...high-speed corners, very little degradation," said Alonso after that podium performance.

"I think in Bahrain, we were strong in things that maybe we don't find in Jeddah and Australia. So, if we are strong in the next two races, I think we will have a very good 2023."

The hopes of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc - runner-up in Jeddah last year - have