Lewis Hamilton in Pole Position Ahead of Today’s FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2021
The first-ever Formula 1 race in Saudi Arabia set to start this evening at 20:30 local time
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – (December 5th) – Today is the day the inaugural FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2021 finally takes place on the brand-new, high-speed Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
After months of preparation and anticipation, the worlds’ greatest drivers will finally compete on the longest and fastest street circuit in the world and are expected to reach average speeds of 252km/h, with peaks estimated to hit 322km/h. The newest race on the calendar is readying itself to play host to a titanic title battle for the ages between seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton & the young pretender to his crown, Max Verstappen at 8.30 pm local time, under the lights and in front of a global audience of millions.
Indeed, the stage is set for a fascinating battle today with the advantage seemingly in Hamilton’s favor after a dramatic Qualifying session yesterday that saw him and his teammate, Valtteri Bottas, lockout the front two grid positions after Verstappen spectacularly hit the wall coming out of the final turn on what appeared to be a pole-winning lap. The young Dutchman has it all to do today on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit to try and recapture the momentum in this breath-taking fight for the F1 World Drivers’ Championship.
Once the high-octane action of the first-ever F1 race in Saudi Arabia comes to a close, attention will move to the Main Stage where global music icons & multi-million selling superstars Justin Bieber, Amr Diab & David Guetta will close out the FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2021 in style.
Saturday 4th December Round-Up:
Saturday at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit served up another feast of racing and entertainment to set the stage for a historic race. Indeed, Saturday is always one of the most important days on a Formula 1 race weekend, the day when practice finally comes to an end and things start getting serious.
The final practice session took place in the early evening when drivers had their last chance to test their cars on the brand-new circuit before the ensuing and all-important Qualifying session.
The crowds were out in force again to enjoy one of the most dramatic stages of the race weekend when the drivers battled it out for pole position ahead of Sunday’s FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2021.
The spoils went to the 7-time World Champion, Lewis Hamilton, who secured his position at the top of the grid ahead of his Finnish teammate, Valtteri Bottas, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The latter had been on course for a magnificent pole-winning lap before glancing at the wall as he emerged out of the final turn on the world’s fastest street circuit.
Regardless of where your affections lie in this nail-biting title challenge, one thing is for sure: tomorrow’s inaugural F1 race in Saudi Arabia is not to be missed!
Meanwhile, once the drama on track had subsided, fans were treated to two exhilarating live performances by multi-award-winning singer, songwriter & dancer, Jason Derulo, and iconic DJ, Tiësto on the circuit’s Main Stage.
Qualifying Results:
| Cla | # | Driver | Chassis | Time | Gap | km/h |
| 1 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 1’27.511 | 253.984 | |
| 2 | 77 | Valtteri Bottas | Mercedes | 1’27.622 | 0.111 | 253.662 |
| 3 | 33 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1’27.653 | 0.142 | 253.572 |
| 4 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1’28.054 | 0.543 | 252.417 |
| 5 | 11 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 1’28.123 | 0.612 | 252.220 |
| 6 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | AlphaTauri | 1’28.125 | 0.614 | 252.214 |
| 7 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1’28.180 | 0.669 | 252.057 |
| 8 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | 1’28.442 | 0.931 | 251.310 |
| 9 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 1’28.647 | 1.136 | 250.729 |
| 10 | 99 | Antonio Giovinazzi | Alfa Romeo | 1’28.754 | 1.243 | 250.427 |
| 11 | 3 | Daniel Ricciardo | McLaren | 1’28.668 | 1.157 | 250.669 |
| 12 | 7 | Kimi Raikkonen | Alfa Romeo | 1’28.885 | 1.374 | 250.057 |
| 13 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Alpine | 1’28.920 | 1.409 | 249.959 |
| 14 | 63 | George Russell | Williams | 1’29.054 | 1.543 | 249.583 |
| 15 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jr. | Ferrari | 1’53.652 | 26.141 | 195.565 |
| 16 | 6 | Nicholas Latifi | Williams | 1’29.177 | 1.666 | 249.239 |
| 17 | 5 | Sebastian Vettel | Aston Martin | 1’29.198 | 1.687 | 249.180 |
| 18 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1’29.368 | 1.857 | 248.706 |
| 19 | 47 | Mick Schumacher | Haas | 1’29.464 | 1.953 | 248.439 |
| 20 | 9 | Nikita Mazepin | Haas | 1’30.473 | 2.962 | 245.668 |
Additional Information:
The FORMULA 1 STC SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX 2021 will mark its arrival in style with the newest circuit in the sport estimated to see drivers reach average speeds of 250km/h, making it the fastest street circuit in the world – and in the top five fastest F1 circuits altogether!
Indeed, the superstars of F1 are projected to reach top speeds of up to 322km/h as they race towards Turn 27.
Featuring no less than 27 corners, the Jeddah Corniche Circuit stretches to 6.175km in length, making it the second-longest circuit on the current F1® calendar behind the legendary Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps and the longest street circuit in the sport.
Additionally, three consecutive sections of the circuit have been marked out as potential DRS Zones, ensuring plenty of overtaking opportunities for the drivers throughout the race.
The fact the race will take place at night under the lights will only add to the amazing atmosphere F1 fans can expect to experience in December.
