The inaugural Saudi Arabia F1 Grand Prix is here and is set to provide the backdrop for an epic battle for the championship. Held at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the event represents the crucial final stages of the event. Belgian-Dutch Max Verstappen is currently leading the current champion Lewis Hamilton.
It has been a rollercoaster of a season with Hamilton taking an early lead by winning three of the first four races. This was followed by Verstappen who took his second win at the famed Monaco street circuit. However, misfortune struck in Azerbaijan and a puncture caused Max’s first retirement.
Thus far, Red Bull is dominating with Verstappen claiming three straight wins to score a 32-point lead after the Austrian GP. The race in Saudi is expectedly a nail biter for all F1 fans.
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is a motor racing track in the Red Sea port city of Jeddah. The circuit is hosting the penultimate race of the season and will see attendance by a host of celebrities and motor racing greats.
Designed by Hermann Tilke, who is often criticised for his tracks being too boring, has had a masterstroke with this track on the Jeddah coastline. It features a rather long start-finish straight, which then leads to the first and second turns, which hark to a more diminutive and unbanked rendition of turns 11 and 12 in Shanghai.
There are several other activities in store for fans too. The end of each day witnessed performances by several international artists. While French producer DJ Snake and Mohamed Hamaki headlined the opening night on Friday, Jason Derulo and Tiësto performed a rousing set on Saturday. The headliners after the race are Justin Bieber, A$AP Rocky and David Guetta.
The final battle will commence at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on December 12
