Jeddah (dpa) – Inspired by the end of the crisis years, Ferrari hopes for rich booty in the second Formula 1 race of the season.
After the double success of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at the start in Bahrain, the Scuderia is again the favorite in Saudi Arabia at the weekend. The competition has some work to do, but time is pretty tight.
What speaks for the next Ferrari high flight?
In Bahrain, winner Leclerc had the most powerful car. The Italians probably made the best use of the upheaval, all other teams have more trouble with the rule reform with radically changed cars. Above all, the new Ferrari engine currently looks like the new benchmark in the field. The Alfa-Romeo and Haas customer teams are now also significantly further ahead than in previous years. The powerful engine could again be the decisive factor for Ferrari on the ultra-fast street circuit in Jeddah.
How did Red Bull deal with the Bahrain disaster?
World champion Max Verstappen and his team were almost on par with Ferrari. But defective fuel pumps ended the race of Verstappen and Sergio Perez shortly before the end. “Bahrain was tough but I’m confident that this team and we will overcome it,” said the defending champions. After all, the season is long. The fact that arch-rival Mercedes with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell benefited greatly from Red Bull’s bad luck with the currently inferior Silver Arrow hurts too. If only there was a chance right now to lose the weakening series champion early on.
What happened to the rumors of a race cancellation?
More news from Formula 1
Because Saudi Arabia is at war in Yemen, the Yemeni Houthi rebels recently attacked targets in the kingdom again. A plant belonging to the oil company Aramco in Jeddah was also hit. The energy giant is the main sponsor of the racing series. “This incident has no impact on the race weekend,” said the organizers of the Grand Prix. All necessary measures for the safety of the second Formula 1 guest appearance in the city on the Red Sea have been taken, it said.
Will Vettel get fit again after his corona infection?
That won’t be decided until Thursday. At the beginning of the week, the 34-year-old Aston Martin driver had still tested positive. Compatriot Nico Hülkenberg is again ready as a replacement. In Bahrain he finished 17th and last.