Jeddah is presenting numerous challenges for Formula 1 drivers and cars. The track features gusty winds and fast blind exit bends, requiring drivers to use the kerbs extensively. Even top drivers like Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez experienced difficulties, with the RB20 car proving to be a handful over the kerbs. However, Red Bull seemed to have an advantage over other teams based on long-run times.
Verstappen was half a second ahead of Perez on the long runs, although this difference was partly due to traffic and more laps completed. Perez showed promising pace on one-lap runs, especially considering his previous success at Jeddah as a polesitter and winner.
Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren did not conduct comparable programs. Ferrari appeared to be running its power units at even lower power modes than other teams, similar to their approach in last year’s practice sessions. Carlos Sainz, who was not feeling well, trailed Verstappen by an average of 0.7 seconds on his long run. Some of this difference can be attributed to engine modes, and Sainz’s performance improved as the run progressed.
Mercedes faced limitations in their running, as both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton spent significant time adjusting the car’s setup to address its nervous rear end. Russell had to do a drivethrough in the pits to create a gap between him and Hamilton. Hamilton also experienced a moment when correcting a snap, mistakenly activating his pit limiter button. As a result, Mercedes only completed seven long-run laps.
In terms of qualifying, Russell showed promising pace, while Hamilton struggled with confidence in the rear of the car. McLaren had a low-key Friday, with Oscar Paistri and Lando Norris conducting long runs on different tire compounds. The hard tire showed good performance, as demonstrated by Alex Albon’s tenth-fastest average time on the Williams. The race is expected to be a one-stop strategy with minimal tire degradation.
As for Aston Martin, Fernando Alonso set the fastest time in single-lap running. However, it is unlikely that Alonso’s position at the top of the time sheets accurately represents the team’s competitiveness. Aston Martin’s long-run pace is similar to their performance in Bahrain, while their single-lap pace was boosted by a higher engine setting.
Further down the field, Red Bull performed similarly to Bahrain on the soft tire, averaging around 0.7 seconds slower than Leclerc. The Haas and Sauber teams were closely matched on the medium tire, approximately 0.2 seconds faster than the Alpines.