Tweaks for 2022 could make Saudi Arabia F1 track even faster

Saudi Arabia hosted its first F1 race in December at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, which drew both praise and criticism from drivers and fans.

A number of drivers reported issues with the sightlines around the track. GPDA chairman and then-Williams driver George Russell told Autosport the circuit was "lacking a lot from a safety perspective and a racing perspective".

Ahead of its second grand prix at the end of this month, officials in Jeddah confirmed in January they would be making tweaks to the track in reaction to the drivers' feedback.

The only change in the actual profile of a corner has taken place at Turn 27, which has been widened by 1.5 metres at the exit. It was here where Max Verstappen clipped the wall at the end of Q3, denying him pole after a lap up to that point that won acclaim from other drivers.

A number of the corners have also had steel plates installed to create shoulders that should allow the cars to kiss the barriers more in places without damaging the cars.

Martin Whitaker, the CEO of the Saudi Motorsport Company, thought the changes would all add up to make the circuit even faster. Last year's average speed for pole position in qualifying was 157mph.

"The footprint of the circuit remains the same, apart from Turn 27," Whitaker said. "We've just moved some of the barriers back a little bit in certain areas so it improves the sightline through that corner.

"It could make [the lap] a little bit quicker, one imagines, if it's not fast enough already. Most of the changes have effectively been done this year. I think we've effected between seven and 10 of the changes they were looking for. The rest will take a little bit longer.

Jeddah Street Circuit last corner detail

Photo by: Motorsport Images

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