The incredibly fast and high-speed Jeddah Circuit is set to host Round 2 of the 2024 F1 World Championship, following closely behind the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
The Jeddah circuit differs greatly from the desert-based Sakhir Circuit, the venue for the SaudiGP. With its walls and blind turns, it presents a unique challenge for drivers, as they reach top speeds of over 250km per hour, making it the fastest street track ever.
In his Unibet column ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend, Hakkinen expressed his thoughts: “As someone who prefers to push the limits, I find the Jeddah circuit to be exhilarating. It’s all about going full throttle, reaching maximum speeds of around 330kph.”
However, Hakkinen also highlighted the potential risks that come with such speed: “Speed always comes with a certain level of risk, and increased risk means that accidents can occur and cars may experience failures.” As a former F1 driver with 20 Grand Prix wins under his belt, Hakkinen knows firsthand the dangers of the sport.
The experienced Finn further commented: “Based on the history of previous Grands Prix held on this circuit, it is almost certain that we will see a Safety Car deployed. In fact, we have even witnessed two red flags in previous years, so we should be prepared for incidents, accidents, and unexpected events.”
Hakkinen emphasized that teams are well aware of these risks and plan accordingly: “Teams not only simulate the perfect race, but also prepare for potential incidents, such as safety car periods, poor pit stops, and the consequences of any damage sustained during the race.”
Mika Hakkinen achieved his two F1 championships while driving for McLaren, powered by Mercedes. Drawing from his insider knowledge, he goes against the popular opinion and predicts a stronger performance from Mercedes in Jeddah.
He explained, “Mercedes faced some challenges in Bahrain due to the need for increased cooling on their cars, which also affected the two Mercedes-powered Williams cars. The freezing temperatures in the desert posed further difficulties. This suggests that the German manufacturer still has work to do.”
When it comes to Lewis Hamilton’s final year with Mercedes, Hakkinen shared his thoughts: “Lewis claimed pole position and won the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021. While Red Bull is expected to remain at the front, keep an eye on Mercedes as they unlock more race speed and challenge Ferrari.”
Hakkinen also provided some positive news for Hamilton and his teammate George Russell: “Their new car is much more predictable to drive, representing a significant step forward after the disappointments of the past two years.” These words will be put to the test starting from FP1 in Jeddah.
During qualifying for the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah, Mick Schumacher experienced a high-impact crash with a force of 33G (pictured at the top). After making it through Q1, Schumacher was on a fast lap in Q2 when he hit the kerbs at Turn 10, colliding with the wall and sliding down the track before coming to a stop.
As a precaution, Schumacher was airlifted to the local hospital for checks. His team later confirmed that he would not be able to start the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to the extensive damage his Haas VF-22 suffered in the crash.