Max Verstappen on pole, but not safe: the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix promises to be explosive
What can we expect on Sunday? No simple formality for Max Verstappen. Despite his pole position, the four-time world champion will have his work cut out on the ultra-fast Jeddah track, against an incisive McLaren and a race where strategy could turn everything upside down.
A Technical Duel: Corners vs Top Speed
At first glance, the advantage seems to lean towards Red Bull. Max Verstappen secured a new pole position with an impressive time of 1:27’865”, but the threat truly comes from McLaren. Oscar Piastri will start alongside him after a strong performance, powered by a formidable car in the winding sections of the track.
According to Matteo Bobbi (Sky Sport), McLaren is extremely competitive in the corners but still lacks top speed, where Red Bull excels. The Jeddah circuit, with its 27 turns and an average speed of over 250 km/h, will not forgive any aerodynamic weakness.
A crucial departure, but not prohibitive
The importance of the front row should not overshadow the opportunities offered by the Saudi track. Three DRS zones, long full-throttle sectors, and a high rate of safety car interventions could shuffle the deck mid-race.
George Russell (Mercedes, P4) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari, P5) could act as spoilers. Friday’s long runs revealed a rather balanced Ferrari, while Mercedes seems to have found a better operating window for its tires.
The X Factor: Tire Wear and Temperatures
The degradation of the tires appears to be a key factor. According to RaceFans.net, Red Bull is the only team to have completed a clean race simulation with a full fuel load, with Max stringing together seven consecutive laps in FP2. However, this work was done in cooler conditions.
« The temperatures will be higher than during the free practice sessions. This could work against Red Bull, especially if the overheating issues resurface », reminded Mara Sangiorgio (Sky).
Pirelli’s decision to introduce softer compounds than last year paves the way for divergent strategies: one stop, or even two for those who will struggle to contain rear graining.
More than just a Verstappen-Piastri duel
Even though all the spotlight is on the front row, it would be unwise to sum up the race as a two-horse battle. Ingenuity in the pits, unexpected neutralizations, or the rise of a Lando Norris (P10) or a Carlos Sainz could create a surprise.
The verdict? Still uncertain.
In summary, this Grand Prix could prove to be much more contested than it seems. While Red Bull has done its homework, McLaren plays the card of technical finesse. And behind them, the rivals have not said their last word.
