Christian Horner thinks that racing in the Jeddah Corniche Circuit this weekend is going to be challenging due to it’s high speed layout.
F1 makes it’s debut in Saudi Arabia this weekend. None of the drivers have any experience in the newly constructed circuit in Jeddah and they will need time to find their feet. The 27 corner street circuit is expected to be the fastest in the world.
Some people have raised concerns over the high-speed layout of the track. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner is one of them. Horner has labeled the track as ‘insane’ and compared it to a more dangerous version of the Suzuka circuit in Japan.
We’re ready to race at the #SaudiArabianGP 👊🏁 pic.twitter.com/yr3SluFxWk
— Red Bull Racing Honda (@redbullracing) December 1, 2021
“We head to Saudi Arabia for their first race where the track looks insane from what I’ve seen.” Horner wrote on the Red Bull website.
“It’s hugely fast and the first sector is like Suzuka, but with walls! It is going to be a massive challenge and I’m sure there will be plenty of excitement and drama.”
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Red Bull feel that Mercedes have the advantage in Saudi Arabia
The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is narrow, fast paced and lined with concrete walls on either end. Taking Mercedes’ recent pace advantage into account, Horner feels that the Brackley based team will have the upper hand.
“We will be watching the Formula 2 race very carefully.” he commented.
“On paper, it looks like a power-sensitive circuit, so you’d say that tends to favour Mercedes, and it looks as though they feel that way too, but you just don’t know.”
The Abu Dhabi GP is going to very uncertain, says Horner
The Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi went through massive changes over the summer. The organizers think that the alterations will lead to better racing and more overtaking opportunities.
Horner feels that these changes will not favor Red Bull.
“In 2020, we were the first team to beat Mercedes in Abu Dhabi since 2013, but they’ve changed the circuit considerably,” he said.
Next stop, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit! 🙌#SaudiArabianGP 🇸🇦 (🎥 @KSAF_SAMF)pic.twitter.com/ZUREX80fMM
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 30, 2021
“We will be preparing as best as we can to go there and perform and see where we end up. Whatever happens at the end of this championship, we will know that we have given it everything we have got.”
“The racing this year has been incredible. The rivalry is intense. It polarizes opinions, but it also draws in a huge audience, which has been wonderful to be a part of.” Horner concluded.