2022 Formula 1 – Race 2: Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
Venue: Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Saudi Arabia.
Race Date: 27th March 2022
Race Preview
The second race of the 2022 F1 season promises to be as intriguing as the first, following Ferrari’s incredible opening race win in Bahrain. Charles Leclerc profited from his new super quick car and Max Verstappen and Red Bull’s technical issues, to finish top of the podium in the first race of the campaign. The icing on the cake for the Italians was Carlos Sainz making it into second place, a potentially superb omen for Ferrari moving forward. Lewis Hamilton and George Russell battled away throughout the week to finish third and fourth respectively last weekend and they too will be out to improve in Saudi Arabia. The track in Jeddah is relatively new on the F1 calendar and with drivers only having raced it once before in 2021, it could be another open race in the gulf.
Betting Preview
Race Winner
It is the second race of the season and all of the drivers on the grid will be out to kick start their campaigns here in Saudi Arabia: –
Following his opening race of the season win in Bahrain, Charles Leclerc will be full of confidence as he arrives in Saudi Arabia. Ferrari have produced a genuinely quick car this season and there is genuine cause for optimism within the Italian side this season. Having impressed at pre-season testing, they backed it up with a big race win in Bahrain and with the fearless Leclerc spearheading their campaign, he could be the man to beat again in Saudi Arabia.
Defending F1 world champion Max Verstappen was left furious as he ran into technical trouble in Bahrain and lost early ground in the title race to his rivals. He was in contention all the way in Bahrain until his car gave up on him and he will be out to make a mends here in Saudi Arabia. He looks to have the speed to keep up with the Ferraris and he always relishes competition, making him a serious contender from the outset here.
Fellow Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz looks to be the forgotten man in the grid this season and the Spaniard is riding the crest of a wave in his super quick car this season. He appears to have a great working relationship with Charles Leclerc within the Ferrari team and the world is their oyster it seems this term and Sainz has pace to burn.
Top Six Finish
Getting early points on the board will be the ultimate priority for every driver on the grid and as always, this race in Saudi Arabia presents the perfect opportunity to kick on this term:-
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton clearly doesn’t have his most powerful car at Mercedes this season, but his driving knowhow is sure to be a defining factor in terms of his potential to win another world title. However, he doesn’t quite look to have the speed necessary in his Mercedes car in its current guise and he will be looking to keep his points tally ticking over this term with a top 6 finish, after coming 3rd in Bahrain last time out.
Red Bull clearly have a super quick car again in 2022 and Sergio Perez will be looking to continue excelling in his role as the number 2 driver for the team. Both he and Max Verstappen struggled last week to come to terms with the car, however the technical problems appear to be more of a glitch than a long term issue, making the Mexican a serious candidate here.
George Russell has been drafted in at Mercedes from Williams, with the young Brit having been earmarked for a great future in the sport. Despite not having a car to compete at the top of the grid in recent seasons, Russell has proven he has the driving credentials to compete at the highest level, He picked up an impressive 4th place finish in Bahrain and he will be looking to build on that here.
2022 F1 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix Best Bets:
