2021 - Race 21 Saudi Arabia

[Zico]

Fun? There is nowhere to pass! This track sucks and this race is going to be boring.

Had a look at it on the sim.. if its anywhere remotely close to this it does look like it might be possible. The DRS zone positions will have to be carefully considered for sure, if it isn't to be a 'Train' track.

https://youtu.be/rDY6oDhay8g


Not sure what my thoughts are on it are yet, it could turn out to very Monaco like in which case Qualy will likely be very important. It should provide a good sensation of speed but also a very fine line between a good result and a disastrous DNF.
There likely will be a good few casualties and safety cars in this one which could shake things right up.

[F1nKS]

It looks like it will be a very unforgiving track if you make mistakes. My gut says it will be interesting race.

[airshifter]

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...GM8Hw2Jvr.html

Very narrow in quite a few areas, and lots of places where getting it wrong could be costly.

There could be some passing opportunities with the DRS zones in play, and some corners are tight enough that being late on the brakes could pay off. Being a little too late could be bad in a hurry.

I'd be shocked if we don't see red flags or a safety car at some point in the race.

[Fortitude]

KIMI RAIKKONEN
Raikkonen: I'm happy Formula 1 is nearly over for me
Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen has admitted that he feels happy his Formula 1 career is almost at an end.
Author Thomas Maher
Co-author Dieter Rencken

Kimi Raikkonen isn't showing any signs of regretting his decision to walk away from Formula 1 at the end of 2021.
The Finn is calling time on a career of more than two decades at the top level, with the 42-year-old concluding that now is the right time to retire to be with his young family at home in Switzerland.
Raikkonen's F1 career will conclude in Abu Dhabi next weekend and, despite the finish now being in sight, was his usual taciturn self when asked about whether he feels any sadness.
"No, why would you get emotional about it?" Raikkonen told accredited media, including RacingNews365.com, when asked about whether reality is hitting home.
"I'm looking really forward, I'm happy that it is soon over, so nothing sad, nothing bad about it. I think it's good."
As for whether he plans on watching the races in 2022 when he's not busy on a Sunday, Raikkonen laughed.
"I'm sure not, but probably... I'm sure I'll see some of them" he added.
"I don't know fully, but we'll see what happens. I doubt that I'll put on an alarm clock to make sure that I don't miss it, but I'm sure I'll see some of them."

https://racingnews365.com/raikkonen-...ly-over-for-me


Sports
Formula 1: Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton says 'not comfortable' with racing in Saudi Arabia
Hamilton aired his views in a news conference in Jeddah where the penultimate race of the 2021 Formula One season takes place on Sunday.
Agence France-Presse December 03, 2021 13:04:35 IST

Jeddah: World champion Lewis Hamilton admitted on Thursday he is "not comfortable" racing in Saudi Arabia this weekend as the Gulf kingdom again faces accusations of "sportswashing".
"Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn't say I do," British driver Hamilton told a news conference in Jeddah where the penultimate race of the 2021 Formula One season takes place on Sunday.

https://www.firstpost.com/sports/for...-10183071.html


Everyone wants Verstappen to win title says Ecclestone
DECEMBER 3, 2021

Bernie Ecclestone says he and "everyone I speak to" hopes that Max Verstappen is crowned world champion for the first time either this or next Sunday.
The former F1 supremo insists that is nothing against seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton - he thinks it's simply time Formula 1 had a new winner.
When asked if an eighth title would put Hamilton above the status of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, 91-year-old Ecclestone insisted to RTL: "No, not at all.
"In fact, I'm surprised Lewis didn't say at the beginning of the year 'I'm retiring - I don't want to win more races or world championships than Michael'," he added.

https://www.grandprix.com/news/every...cclestone.html


Lewis Hamilton’s title duel with Max Verstappen could turn nasty in fiery final showdowns, warns Damon Hill
Evening Standard
11:04am

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/for...l-b969839.html


How Max Verstappen can win the F1 title this weekend, as Daniel Ricciardo just aims for strong finish
By Michael Doyle

Max Verstappen will go into this weekend's Saudi Arabia Grand Prix with a slender, eight-point lead in the Formula 1 drivers championship.
The 24-year-old Red Bull driver has almost been helpless in the past two races as seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton stormed to consecutive victories, closing the gap between the drivers.
However, while Hamilton and his Mercedes team have all of the momentum, Verstappen can still be crowned world champion in Jeddah.
For this to happen, Verstappen will have to finish in the top two, or the title fight will go to the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
To be world champion, Verstappen will have to leave Saudi Arabia with a 27-point lead over Hamilton.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-...kend/100663906

[Nitrodaze]

Everyone wants Verstappen to win title says Ecclestone
DECEMBER 3, 2021

Bernie Ecclestone says he and "everyone I speak to" hopes that Max Verstappen is crowned world champion for the first time either this or next Sunday.
The former F1 supremo insists that is nothing against seven time world champion Lewis Hamilton - he thinks it's simply time Formula 1 had a new winner.
When asked if an eighth title would put Hamilton above the status of F1 legend Michael Schumacher, 91-year-old Ecclestone insisted to RTL: "No, not at all.
"In fact, I'm surprised Lewis didn't say at the beginning of the year 'I'm retiring - I don't want to win more races or world championships than Michael'," he added.

https://www.grandprix.com/news/every...cclestone.html

Biased comments like that show why he no longer is in charge of F1. If Bernie is reiterating what he has heard from within the F1 management, then it would explain all those dodgy stewards decisions. They may well be prepared to overlook any dodgy Redbull antics at the next two races.

Lewis Hamilton’s title duel with Max Verstappen could turn nasty in fiery final showdowns, warns Damon Hill
Evening Standard
11:04am

https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/for...l-b969839.html

If Redbull is on their back foot after qualifying, their only real play is to take out Hamilton with one of their cars. This will of course depend on how well Bottas does his role. Redbull can see the light at the end of the tunnel, so my money is on them being dirty at this race.

[denkimi]

Biased comments like that show why he no longer is in charge of F1.

Bernie never cared for anything but money. And whatever creates the biggest fuzz is what makes the most money.

[Tazio]

**** Bernie!

[F1nKS]

If Redbull is on their back foot after qualifying, their only real play is to take out Hamilton with one of their cars. This will of course depend on how well Bottas does his role. Redbull can see the light at the end of the tunnel, so my money is on them being dirty at this race.

No need for conspiracy theories. F1 wants Hamilton to win this race and for the championship to go to the last race.

For the sake of the "show" Red Bull will play it safe and hope to minimize their loss of points this weekend. They have already signaled that - it is clear Mercedes is too fast for RB this weekend.

[Firstgear]

Bernie's an 1diot. If he got what he wanted, we'd have a medal system right now in stead of points, and Max (with his 9 wins) would have wrapped up the championship a couple of months ago.

[Fortitude]

FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2021 - PRACTICE 1
03 05 Dec 2021 Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah

https://www.formula1.com/en/results....ractice-1.html


FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2021 - PRACTICE 2
03 05 Dec 2021 Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah

https://www.formula1.com/en/results....ractice-2.html


Horner calls Red Bull’s pace ‘really encouraging’ as they prepare for decisive battle in Jeddah
03 December 2021

https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...hrLFjBYzw.html