Max Verstappen could begin as favourite, however Fernando Alonso can have widespread widespread help this weekend when this 12 months’s Formula One season resumes on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
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After his dashing and shocking podium end behind the 2 Red Bulls on the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix two weeks in the past, the 41-year-old Spaniard has performed down excessive expectations of a repeat in his glossy new Aston Martin.
But he is aware of that the high-speed Jeddah Street Circuit, a skinny hair-clip of asphalt squeezed above a lagoon on the corniche, 12 kilometres north of the town, provides a really completely different problem to man and machine.
“I think that we found, in Bahrain, that we were strong in things that maybe we won’t have in Jeddah, or in Melbourne,” he defined.
“So, if we’re robust once more, in these two races, I believe we’re going to have an excellent 12 months.
“I am curious about these races – very different circuits, with high-speed corners and very low degradation. It’s going to be very different.”
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After his commanding victory in Bahrain, forward of Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, defending world champion Verstappen would be the man to beat with Aston Martin, Ferrari and Mercedes in scorching pursuit.
Perez, who completed fourth final 12 months after ranging from pole place, will search to show he’s greater than the supporting forged to the Dutchman’s starring function on the sort of monitor that often fits his type.
“I was unlucky last year, with the timing of a safety car,” he mentioned.
“It will be interesting this time.”
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Ferrari, underneath new administration and enthused by contemporary hope, may also need to make a press release at a circuit the place they completed second and third final season, however will begin on the again foot with Charles Leclerc taking a 10-place grid penalty for taking a brand new digital management unit.
After a disappointing, if not desultory, show on the season-opener, Mercedes, equally, require a much-improved exhibiting to carry morale.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and George Russell struggled for tempo in Bahrain and are prone to undergo an analogous destiny on Sunday.
“We have a few small developments for the car,” mentioned group boss Toto Wolff.
“Not game-changers, but they might move us in the right direction.”
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If Mercedes droop once more – they received eight successive constructors’ titles earlier than Red Bull took their crown final 12 months – it may result in a radical re-think and the top for his or her much-criticised W14 automotive.
That once-unthinkable prospect will likely be introduced ahead notably if the manufacturing unit group is out-raced once more by their Silverstone-based buyer outfit Aston Martin.
“I think the car we have now is just a very basic one, a completely new concept launched for this season,” mentioned Alonso.
“So, I believe we have a lot more to come in terms of development – and I am optimistic.”
Verstappen has recognised the robust risk from rival groups to his title defence, however believes his Red Bull bundle has the mix of high-speed dealing with traits and pure energy to triumph once more.
“We have a strong car for this track, but I don’t expect it to be easy,” mentioned the 25-year-old Dutchman, who praised a number of modifications made to the circuit after complaints in regards to the hazard of poor visibility at sure corners final 12 months.
“The changes have improved things, hopefully,” he added.
“It was definitely dangerous in some areas for the drivers.”
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX 2023 RESULTS
1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1hr 33min 56.736sec, 2. Sergio Perez (MEX/Red Bull) at 11.987, 3. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 38.637, 4. Carlos Sainz (ESP/Ferrari) 48.052, 5. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 50.977, 6. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin-Mercedes) 54.502, 7. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 55.873, 8. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Alfa Romeo) 1:12.647, 9. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:13.753, 10. Alexander Albon (THA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:29.774, 11. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1:30.870, 12. Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams-Mercedes) 1 lap, 13. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1 lap, 14. Nyck de Vries (NED/AlphaTauri-Red Bull) 1 lap, 15. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Haas-Ferrari) 1 lap, 16. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Alfa Romeo) 1 lap, 17. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren-Mercedes) 2 laps
Best lap: Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine-Renault) 1:35.068 on forty third lap (common: 204.940 km/h)
Did not end: Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren-Mercedes) sixteenth lap, Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) forty first lap, Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine-Renault) forty sixth lap
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS (AFTER 1 OF 23 RACES)
Drivers
1. Max Verstappen (NED) 25 pts, 2. Sergio Perez (MEX) 18, 3. Fernando Alonso (ESP) 15, 4. Carlos Sainz (ESP) 12, 5. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 10, 6. Lance Stroll (CAN) 8, 7. George Russell (GBR) 6, 8. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 4, 9. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 2, 10. Alexander Albon (THA) 1, 11. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN) 0, 12. Logan Sargeant (USA) 0, 13. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 0, 14. Nyck de Vries (NED) 0, 15. Nico Hulkenberg (GER) 0, 16. Zhou Guanyu (CHN) 0, 17. Lando Norris (GBR) 0, 18. Esteban Ocon (FRA) 0, 19. Charles Leclerc (MON) 0, 20. Oscar Piastri (AUS)
Constructors
1. Red Bull 43 pts, 2. Aston Martin-Mercedes 23, 3. Mercedes 16, 4. Ferrari 12, 5. Alfa Romeo 4, 6. Alpine-Renault 2, 7. Williams-Mercedes 1, 8. AlphaTauri-Red Bull 0, 9. Haas-Ferrari 0, 10. McLaren-Mercedes 0
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