Disclaimer
The picks and strategies mentioned in this article are solely the opinions of the author, based on their analysis and understanding of Formula 1 fantasy. These suggestions are provided for informational purposes only and do not guarantee success in any fantasy league or betting activity. The author does not take any responsibility for theoutcomes of using these suggestions, and individuals are encouraged to make their own decisions based on their research and analysis. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
If I were to sum up the season opener in Bahrain in just one word, it would be ‘Obliteration’. Red Bull’s dominant performance in Bahrain didn’t surprise anyone, but it left many disappointed. Despite high hopes after winter testing and strong showings in practice and qualifying, Max Verstappen's Grand Slam victory, with a massive 22-second lead, was a reality check. Red Bull still possesses the fastest car, possibly even more so now, and Verstappen's exceptional form and consistency remain unmatched.
For Bahrain, I carefully selected my team, preferring a well-balanced lineup. This approach allows for flexibility; if one driver encounters issues, the others can compensate. While Bahrain provided a glimpse of the current pecking order, it's essential to remember that the season spans 24 different circuits, each with its challenges and variables that can significantly impact team performance.
The Bahrain International Circuit is a classic track featuring long straights interspersed with slow and medium-speed corners that demand strong rear grip and traction. In contrast, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit offers a completely different challenge. This narrow, semi-permanent street track focuses on the front-end agility of the car, navigating through its 27 fast-flowing corners. Additionally, the track surface in Jeddah is less abrasive compared to Bahrain. Given these differences and considering the teething issues several teams faced in Bahrain, approaching Jeddah almost feels like starting afresh, albeit with valuable insights to consider.
Prime Picks
Max Verstappen - He remains the standout choice for this race, a driver who definitely must be in my lineup. With an eight-race winning streak and backed by RedBull's strong performance, Verstappen is in impeccable form. His pace was evident inBahrain, where he lapped a second faster than his teammate, showcasing his exceptional level of performance. Verstappen is also the only driver to have stoodonthe podium in every Saudi Arabian GP so far, making him a reliable choice. Whilehehas never started on the front row in Jeddah, he has consistently finished in the top two everytime.
Red Bull - Red Bull as a constructor is also a smart choice for several reasons -
Sergio Perez has shown strength at Jeddah, leading the most laps (61) and achieving two pole positions and a victory here.
His comfort on street circuits, where all his Red Bull wins have come, addsto his appeal.
Perez tends to perform better early in the season before major upgradescome in, making him a strategic choice while other teams are still refining
Steady Picks
Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren did seem promising in Bahrain, but had difficult
outings on race day for separate reasons.
Ferrari - They showed determination in Bahrain, with Charles Leclerc posting a
faster lap than Verstappen in Q2. However, race day presented challenges, including
brake temperature issues for Leclerc and traffic for Carlos Sainz. The Saudi track's
gentler treatment of tyres compared to Bahrain could favor Ferrari if they resolve their
issues. It's worth noting that both Sainz and Leclerc have a 100% scoring record at
Jeddah, indicating their potential to challenge Red Bull.
Mercedes - Another team that struggled in Bahrain. The car seemed to have decent
pace, but their true performance was masked due to cooling issues that arose as
early as Lap 4. It required significant heat management on both Mercedes cars - and
Lewis Hamilton also had to deal with a broken seat - which affected their ability to
challenge Ferrari or Red Bull. Expect them to have a better understanding of the
situation this time in Saudi Arabia. Since his last race win in F1 at the 2021 Saudi
Arabian GP, Hamilton has struggled in Jeddah, qualifying 16th and 8th in the last two
years.
McLaren - McLaren might be slightly off the pace compared to Mercedes and Ferrari, but their car has the capability to perform well, especially around high-speed circuitslike Jeddah. It was one of their strengths last year, so Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri
shouldn’t be underestimated here. That said, Norris has never qualified in the top six
in Jeddah and has failed to make it to Q3 in his last two outings here.
I wasn’t too impressed with Aston Martin’s pace in Bahrain on race day, despite
Stroll’s climb from the back to P10. Alonso's call for more downforce highlights their
need for improvement, and they are estimated to be the fifth-best team this weekend
as well. I’m giving them a pass this time. The narrowness of the circuit could also
make overtaking a bit more difficult for someone like Lance Stroll.
Punts
Haas seemed quite impressive in Bahrain. Nico Hulkenberg is known for putting
together a good lap, especially in qualifying, while Kevin Magnussen tends to make
up places on race day. Their race pace looked encouraging in winter testing and in
Bahrain, so they could be a decent bet for your team if you want to include some
strong drivers. Williams doesn’t have a good record here, so I’m willing to skip them
this time around.
My team - Charles Leclerc (34 mil) + Kevin Magnussen (26 mil) + Red Bull (39 mil)
Budget left - 1 mil
Alternate team - Max Verstappen (40 mil) + Logan Sargeant (25 mil) + Ferrari (35 mil)
Budget left - 0 mil
Stats and facts -
Due to its minimal run-off areas, the Jeddah circuit often sees the full safety car being called upon if a car stops on track. In the last three races at this venue, there have been four full Safety Cars, two red flags, and five Virtual Safety Car periods. The safety car has been deployed on-track every year.
While the Bahrain GP marked the first season-opener in F1 history without retirements, the last three Saudi Arabian GPs have witnessed an average of four DNFs per race.
Every Saudi Arabian GP has witnessed a different race winner - Lewis Hamilton in 2021, Max Verstappen in 2022 and Sergio Perez in 2023.
The Milton-Keynes-based squad has clinched victory in 13 of the last 15 street/semi-permanent races in F1, including last year’s race in Jeddah.
Both Ocon and Pierre Gasly have reached Q3 and scored points in every outing at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Kevin Magnussen has always scored points in Jeddah, whereas Nico Hulkenberg hasn't scored in a Middle-Eastern race in six years.
Williams is the only team that has yet to score at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
A Williams driver has DNFed in every Saudi Arabian GP held so far.
F1 StatsGuru, also known as Sundaram Ramaswami, is a motorsport statistician and digital content creator. He runs the largest stats-based community on the internet and provides statistics to leading media houses in motorsport such as The Race, Motorsport, and Autosport. His stats have been featured on global broadcasts by
David Croft, Will Buxton, and others. Despite his professional background in telecom engineering, his love for statistics developed over a decade of playing cricket fantasy
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