Saudi Arabian GP: Emerson Fittipaldi discusses Red Bull & Haas prospects for round two

Emerson Fittipaldi is of the opinion that Red Bull and Haas will show their strengths again this weekend at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The second race of the season gets underway this evening at 6pm UK time, with Sergio Perez leading the field away from pole position.

Indeed, he’ll be followed by the two Ferraris and Max Verstappen in the other Red Bull, with the two teams once again showing themselves to be strongest at the moment.

And, that said, Fittipaldi says that Red Bull will once again be strong despite their woes in Bahrain with a fuel pump issue, whilst he also predicts Haas could impress again:

“The other team that can be running strong (in Jeddah) but they have engine problems, is Red Bull,” he said to Vegas Insider.

“I mean Red Bull is right there. They’ll be very strong. Max Verstappen will be strong again.

“And then for our surprise, was (Kevin) Magnussen in the new Haas car, who, similar to the Ferrari, got their act together on the new rules package.

“The car was strong in practice, strong in qualifying and was strong in the race. This shows the potential for this year, that Haas has. They have already, what I call the package, correct with the new rules.

“And then who was a little disappointing for everybody for sure was Mercedes.

“Even Lewis (Hamilton), as always the racer, he was on the podium there but they’re not as strong as before.”

Haas, of course, will only be running car this evening in Saudi after Mick Schumacher suffered a nasty crash at around 170mph in qualifying.

The young German is okay after some hospital checks, and will be looking forward to the Australian Grand Prix in a couple of weeks from now.