JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – MARCH 07: Sergio Perez from Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 on the track during practice before the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 7, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)
In the thrilling atmosphere of the night race, the ten Formula 1 teams raced on the high-speed streets with varying levels of success, indicating that the competition at the top, especially with the Red Bulls, may be more intense than in Bahrain. However, the true picture will only be revealed in Q3 during Friday’s qualifying session.
Interestingly, some teams seemed to be showing off while others were intentionally holding back, as Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin led the time sheets at the end of FP2. Here’s what the drivers had to say at the end of Thursday in Jeddah:
Mercedes’ George Russell expressed his pleasure at being back on track in Jeddah and highlighted the high-speed nature of the circuit. He admitted that FP2 was a bit chaotic, but mentioned that lap times seemed promising, although they were unsure about their performance in long races. Russell emphasized that it is still early in the season and they need to keep building on their learnings.
Lewis Hamilton described the day as challenging, mentioning that he was struggling with confidence in the rear of the car. They made several changes to the setup throughout the sessions, but the rear remained a concern. Hamilton acknowledged that George Russell had a better day with the car and hoped to learn from his different approaches.
Charles Leclerc, from Ferrari, observed that the track had good initial grip and anticipated a significant evolution of the track throughout the following day. He highlighted the fierce competition among the drivers and was eager to see who could extract the maximum performance from their cars.
Carlos Sainz, also from Ferrari, had a tough day due to illness, but managed to make the most of his time on the track. He acknowledged the demanding nature of the high-speed corners and expressed hope for a full recovery to focus on qualifying and the race.
Lando Norris, from McLaren, described the day as reasonable, with a better feeling compared to Bahrain. He mentioned difficulties with balance in certain corners, but considered it a decent start to the weekend.
Oscar Piastri, also from McLaren, described the day as a mix of highs and lows. He believed they were a bit competitive, but needed fine-tuning. Piastri remained positive and was eager to improve his performance.
Esteban Ocon, from Alpine, found the day interesting and expressed happiness to be back at the exciting Jeddah circuit. They completed several laps with different fuel loads, collecting valuable data. Ocon acknowledged the need to improve the car setup and expressed optimism for qualifying.
Pierre Gasly, also from Alpine, highlighted the unique style of the Jeddah circuit compared to Bahrain. He believed they were slightly more competitive, but emphasized the need to extract more performance from the current package. Gasly expressed calmness and confidence in his ability to improve.
Valtteri Bottas, from Sauber, enjoyed being back on track and found the car comfortable during FP1. They experimented with different setups in FP2, learning which directions to avoid. Bottas believed the data collected would be useful for qualifying.
Zhou Guanyu, also from Sauber, had a positive feeling in the car and completed his planned program to gather the necessary data. He believed that the layout of the Jeddah circuit suited them better than Bahrain and aimed to compete for points against the teams around them.
Nico Hulkenberg, from Haas, described the Jeddah circuit as different from Bahrain, but still very fast. He mentioned the need for improvements, especially in a quick lap, but believed they were close in the midfield. Hulkenberg acknowledged the learning process and hoped to put it all together for a good performance.
Kevin Magnussen, also from Haas, considered the day decent but not spectacular in terms of pace. He mentioned that the car performed better in long races than in low fuel races and expressed the need to increase the pace. Magnussen emphasized the fierce competition and the importance of a good position in qualifying.
Please note that this report will be updated with additional quotes from the teams.
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Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton continues to amaze the world of motorsport with his incredible achievements. Last weekend, Hamilton secured his 100th victory at the Russian Grand Prix. With this achievement, he became the first driver to reach this historic milestone in Formula 1 history.
Hamilton started the race in second place, but managed to overtake his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, early in the race. He then took the lead and never looked back, crossing the finish line in first place. The crowd at the circuit was ecstatic with the British driver’s impressive performance.
With this victory, Hamilton further solidifies his position as one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history. He has already won seven world championships and now has 100 wins in his career. His talent and dedication are truly admirable.
After the race, Hamilton expressed his gratitude to the team and fans for their continuous support. He also highlighted the importance of his team in achieving this historic milestone. Hamilton is known for his teamwork and his ability to extract the maximum from his car in every race.
The next stage of the Formula 1 championship will be the Turkish Grand Prix, and Hamilton will certainly be determined to continue his winning streak. Fans are eager to see what the future holds for this incredible driver.
In summary, Lewis Hamilton achieved a historic milestone by securing his 100th victory in Formula 1. His skill and dedication are undeniable, and he continues to impress the world of motorsport. With seven world championships and 100 wins, Hamilton is truly one of the greatest drivers in history. The next challenge will be the Turkish Grand Prix, where Hamilton will seek to maintain his winning streak. Fans are eager to see more of what this incredible driver can achieve.
