F1 rivals hope fast Saudi track can rein in Red Bull

Round Two of the 2023 Formula One World Championship takes place this weekend in Saudi Arabia.

- Alex Ingram

The 3.8-mile Jeddah Street Circuit has already become notorious in just two seasons for its barriers, inches away from the track and hiding high-speed blind corners.

The smooth surface and more flowing nature should give a different challenge to the abrasive tarmac and stop/start nature of the opening race in Bahrain - and teams and fans alike will hope this will offer a chance for rivals to get a little closer to Max Verstappen, who was dominant in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

The reigning champion was peerless, leading from start to finish at what seemed like a canter at times, driving his Red Bull kindly to avoid unnecessary stress on his car or its Pirelli tyres. The Dutchman finished almost 12 seconds clear of his team-mate Sergio Perez, himself another 28.6 seconds ahead of third-placed Fernando Alonso.