Hamilton Edges Verstappen in Calm Jeddah Practice

Hamilton Dominates First Practice at Electrifying Jeddah Corniche Circuit as F1 Title Battle Intensifies

The highly anticipated Saudi Arabian Grand Prix roared to life at the brand-new Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton setting the pace in the opening free practice session. As the penultimate race of the 2021 Formula 1 season, every session holds immense significance, and Hamilton’s dominant performance immediately signaled Mercedes’ intent to challenge for victory on this blistering new street circuit.

Championship leader Max Verstappen, Hamilton’s fierce rival, was hot on his heels, finishing a mere five-hundredths of a second behind. The razor-thin margin underscored the intensity of their championship duel, promising a thrilling weekend ahead. Valtteri Bottas secured third quickest in the second Mercedes, ensuring both Silver Arrows were firmly in the mix, with AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly rounding out the top four after an impressive showing.

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit: A High-Speed Unknown

Making its grand debut on the Formula 1 calendar, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit immediately captivated drivers and fans alike. Billed as the “fastest street circuit” in the world, this sprawling 6.174-kilometer track features an astonishing 27 corners, most of which are taken at incredibly high speeds, flowing along the picturesque Red Sea coastline. The circuit design presented a unique challenge, combining the precision demanded by street circuits with the breathtaking pace typically associated with permanent race tracks. Drivers faced a steep learning curve, navigating blind corners, unforgiving walls, and the constant threat of incidents.

Before the session, there were extensive discussions about the circuit’s safety, given its high-speed nature and tight run-off areas. However, initial impressions from the drivers during FP1 were largely positive, suggesting the venue might deliver both excitement and a manageable challenge. The floodlit conditions, under which the crucial qualifying and race sessions will be held, added another layer of complexity, demanding exceptional visibility and adaptability from the teams and drivers right from the start of the weekend.

FP1 Unfolds: Early Laps and Unexpected Grip Levels

Following a slight delay for the Formula 2 practice session earlier in the day due to “operational reasons,” the Formula 1 cars took to the track precisely on schedule. This punctuality was a relief, allowing teams maximum time to gather crucial data on the previously unknown circuit. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jnr had the honour of being the first F1 driver to officially set rubber on the Jeddah asphalt, closely followed by his teammate Charles Leclerc. Their early outings were vital for mapping the track and understanding its nuances.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wasted no time in asserting his presence. He immediately found a strong rhythm, consistently improving his lap times and quickly dipping into competitive territory, threatening to breach the 1 minute 30 second barrier. His natural speed and adaptability to new circuits were evident as he looked comfortable pushing the limits from the outset, showcasing his formidable form in this championship-deciding phase of the season.

One of the session’s most significant surprises was the unexpected level of grip offered by the virgin asphalt. Typically, new circuits present extremely low grip in their opening sessions, as rubber needs to be laid down and the surface cleans up. However, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit defied expectations. Alpine’s Esteban Ocon reported over team radio, “Grip seems pretty high in general… I think it’s a big surprise, everywhere, traction through the mid-corner.” This higher-than-anticipated grip allowed drivers to attack the circuit with more confidence, leading to fewer errors and an incredibly clean session for a new street circuit debut.

Navigating the High-Speed Maze: Traffic Woes and Close Calls

While the grip levels exceeded expectations, the primary challenge for drivers quickly emerged as traffic management. With 27 corners and long straights, the circuit’s high-speed nature meant cars on cool-down laps or preparing for flying laps needed significant space. This often led to excessive slowing down by drivers trying to create gaps, particularly in the critical final sector, posing a significant safety concern and frustrating many as they attempted to find clear air for their timed runs. Navigating this delicate balance without impeding rivals or compromising their own laps became a key focus for every team.

Despite the generally clean session, the narrow, high-speed layout inevitably led to a couple of heart-stopping moments in the closing minutes. Max Verstappen had a near miss at the first corner, locking up his Red Bull and almost making contact with Esteban Ocon’s Alpine. Ocon, aware of Verstappen approaching on a hot lap, was diligently attempting to leave space on the outside, a testament to the drivers’ heightened awareness on this unforgiving track. Shortly after, Lance Stroll in his Aston Martin experienced a close encounter with Nikita Mazepin’s Haas on the exit of Turn 4, further highlighting the tight margins and the constant need for vigilance on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

The Battle at the Top: Mercedes Strikes First

The fight for supremacy between Mercedes and Red Bull was evident throughout FP1. With just 20 minutes remaining, Valtteri Bottas briefly claimed the top spot, clocking a lap time that was an astonishing five-thousandths of a second faster than Verstappen’s previous best. This demonstrated Mercedes’ strong potential on the new track and Bottas’s continued impressive form towards the end of the season.

However, it was Lewis Hamilton who ultimately stole the show. Demonstrating his unparalleled skill and experience, Hamilton became the first driver to break into the 1 minute 29 second bracket, setting a blistering 1’29.786. This decisive lap not only placed him firmly at the top of the standings but also showcased Mercedes’ raw pace and optimal setup, allowing him to maintain his position for the remainder of the session. The provisional 1-3 for Mercedes in FP1 served as a powerful statement in the high-stakes championship battle.

Midfield Insights and Promising Circuit Feedback

Beyond the leading contenders, several midfield teams showed promising pace. Pierre Gasly continued his stellar season with an excellent fourth-place finish for AlphaTauri, further cementing their status as a strong midfield challenger. Antonio Giovinazzi put in a solid performance for Alfa Romeo, securing fifth, while the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc were consistently in the top ten, showcasing the Maranello team’s competitive package.

Overall, the sentiment from the paddock regarding Formula 1’s newest venue was overwhelmingly positive. Valtteri Bottas concisely described the track as “cool,” a common sentiment among drivers who relished the challenge of the high-speed, flowing layout. Mercedes Sporting Director Ron Meadows was overheard commending Race Director Michael Masi and the circuit personnel for their meticulous preparation of the track surface overnight. This positive feedback from both drivers and key team members bodes well for a thrilling race weekend and firmly establishes the Jeddah Corniche Circuit as an exciting addition to the Formula 1 calendar.

Looking Ahead: Stakes Rise for FP2 and Qualifying

As the sun began to set on the first day of action in Jeddah, the results from FP1 provided a tantalizing glimpse into what promises to be an epic weekend. While practice sessions offer only a snapshot of performance, Lewis Hamilton’s strong start sends a clear message to Max Verstappen and Red Bull. The minimal time difference between the title protagonists indicates that the championship battle will continue to be decided by the smallest of margins.

Teams will now meticulously analyze the vast amounts of data collected, focusing on long-run pace, tire degradation, and optimizing car setup for the cooler, floodlit conditions expected in later sessions. With track evolution likely to be significant, drivers will push harder in FP2 and, most crucially, in qualifying, where securing a strong grid position on this difficult-to-pass street circuit will be paramount. The stage is set for an enthralling Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with every lap holding the potential to swing the momentum in this incredible championship showdown.

2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix First Practice Results

Here are the complete results from the opening practice session at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit:

Pos.	No.	Driver	Car	Best lap	Gap	Laps
1	44	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	1’29.786		20
2	33	Max Verstappen	Red Bull-Honda	1’29.842	0.056	22
3	77	Valtteri Bottas	Mercedes	1’30.009	0.223	23
4	10	Pierre Gasly	AlphaTauri-Honda	1’30.263	0.477	27
5	99	Antonio Giovinazzi	Alfa Romeo-Ferrari	1’30.318	0.532	26
6	55	Carlos Sainz Jnr	Ferrari	1’30.564	0.778	25
7	16	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	1’30.600	0.814	26
8	3	Daniel Ricciardo	McLaren-Mercedes	1’30.608	0.822	24
9	14	Fernando Alonso	Alpine-Renault	1’30.842	1.056	26
10	5	Sebastian Vettel	Aston Martin-Mercedes	1’30.886	1.100	24
11	11	Sergio Perez	Red Bull-Honda	1’30.960	1.174	26
12	31	Esteban Ocon	Alpine-Renault	1’31.023	1.237	28
13	4	Lando Norris	McLaren-Mercedes	1’31.029	1.243	22
14	18	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin-Mercedes	1’31.044	1.258	24
15	22	Yuki Tsunoda	AlphaTauri-Honda	1’31.099	1.313	25
16	7	Kimi Raikkonen	Alfa Romeo-Ferrari	1’31.296	1.510	25
17	63	George Russell	Williams-Mercedes	1’31.343	1.557	27
18	47	Mick Schumacher	Haas-Ferrari	1’31.525	1.739	23
19	6	Nicholas Latifi	Williams-Mercedes	1’31.821	2.035	26
20	9	Nikita Mazepin	Haas-Ferrari	1’33.464	3.678	22

First Practice Visual Gaps

For a detailed look at the performance gaps between drivers, examine the visual representation below:

Note: Drivers more than ten seconds off the pace are omitted for brevity.

More on the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Delve deeper into the thrilling events surrounding the Jeddah Corniche Circuit:

• Mercedes seal record eighth consecutive constructors title as Hamilton misses driver’s crown
• Analysis: Is Jeddah circuit’s layout fit for F1 or a “recipe for disaster”?
• Hamilton closes on another Schumacher record with first ‘hat-trick’ of 2021
• How Hamilton and Verstappen’s roughest scrap yet played out on the radio
• Brawn defends Masi following criticism of Saudi Arabian GP decisions

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