Recent Track Modifications All Set to Make Jeddah F1 Circuit Even Faster

The Jeddah F1 circuit has undergone some modifications since last year, after being criticized for the safety standards. The circuit hosted the first-ever Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last December but saw some critical faults in its first outing.

The circuit proved to be very fast but saw some severe crashes during qualifying. As the title leader Max Verstappen was out, criticism was inevitable.

Max Verstappen lost Pole position at the Jeddah circuit

Saudi Arabian GP also gave Lewis Hamilton a redeemed chance at the title. Hamilton could qualify for a second straight pole position, a first in the season for him.

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Moreover, the race ended with Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, and Max Verstappen on the podium. However, the terrible crashes did not go unnoticed, as the federation was asked to make changes.

Ahead of the new season, they have moved the barriers between 1.5 to 2 meters. Martin Whitaker, CEO of the Saudi Motorsport Company, reported several other changes and claimed that all these modifications have made the track faster.

The F1 circuit has gone through modifications despite the time proximity

Martin said that the time did not allow them to make any drastic changes. Moreover, there are a few modifications that’d take a lot longer. Hence, he expects the FIA Race director’s help and wants the drivers informed. Martin was quoted as saying, “Most of the changes have been made this year. I think we’ve made seven to 10 of the changes we were looking for. The rest will take a bit longer. For example, the inside sight line of Turns 23 and 24 It’s a bigger task and we haven’t had time to do that.”

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” That’s one area where the FIA ​​race director can help us by telling the driver to be careful going through there or not to slow down when they’re on a qualifying lap.” 

Martin defended himself by claiming that the drivers arrived on a fast track with slow cars. The CEO also claimed that the actual race was not as much an issue as the qualifying, which saw Verstappen lose the lead. He now expects the FIA to tell the drivers they can’t slow down at certain corners.

The Jeddah track is an exciting street circuit and can be a permanent home to Formula One. Fans can see the circuit back in action on 27 March 2022. However, they are expected to live up to their full potential.