Is Sebastian Vettel also missing in Saudi Arabia?

Review & Preview

I would also like to recommend the latest edition of the Starting Grid podcast to you. There moderator Kevin Scheuren, editor-in-chief Christian Nimmervoll and picture editor Silja Rulle look back on the Bahrain Grand Prix and of course also look ahead to Saudi Arabia.

You can now listen to the whole podcast of around 1:45 hours.

Mercedes: When will porpoising be under control?

Despite the podium in Bahrain, it was clear that Mercedes still lacked the pace to face the direct competition from Ferrari and Red Bull. Above all, porpoising is a problem for the Silver Arrows that needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

“We’re starting to get a handle on it,” says Engineering Director James Allison. However, the only way to deal with this is to throw away some of the car’s basic performance. That’s the lesser evil.

However, we are working on getting the problem under control without having to sacrifice performance. “Obviously we can’t wait to deliver these solutions. We’re working hard here at the factory to find them, get them on the car and then reap the benefits,” Allison said.

Enrique Bernoldi driver commissioner

Also in Jeddah, as usual, an ex-driver will act as commissioner and support his colleagues Nish Shetty, Matteo Perini and Hassan Alabdali. That will be Enrique Bernoldi this weekend.

The Brazilian is a former Red Bull Junior who drove for Arrows in Formula 1 for two seasons in 2001 and 2002 – with 2022 only being a half year after the team’s early retirement. Eighth place was his best result in his 29 races.

However, his most famous race is the Monaco Grand Prix in 2001, when he was able to delay World Championship candidate David Coulthard for more than 30 laps.

Jeddah: 3 DRS zones

There will also be three DRS zones again in Saudi Arabia, all of which will come relatively late in the round.

Zone 1 starts at the exit of Turn 19, measuring point is the exit of Turn 17. Zone 2 starts at the entrance of Turn 25, measuring point is at the entrance of Turn 22. And Zone 3 starts 170 meters after Turn 27, measuring point is at the entrance of the corner .

Surprisingly, the FIA ​​itself published this vague information, while otherwise it is always accurate to the meter.

Will Vettel ever come back?

Our editor-in-chief Christian Nimmervoll is of the opinion that Vettel should save himself the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for many reasons – and actually the rest of the season.

You can see the explanation in our video on the Formula1.de YouTube channel look at.

Hulkenberg is ready

Should Vettel not get the green light for Friday, Aston Martin would again rely on the services of Nico Hulkenberg, who was already deployed in Bahrain and had beaten teammate Lance Stroll there in qualifying.

Hulkenberg is already in Saudi Arabia and would step in again, as Aston Martin has announced. The final decision will be made on Friday to give Vettel every opportunity to drive.

Hulkenberg had already revealed that he was going to the Aston Martin simulator in Bahrain to prepare for the route he was unfamiliar with.

Good Morning!

We are speeding towards the second Formula 1 round of the season in Saudi Arabia. The race in Jeddah was the penultimate race of the season last year – including a collision between Verstappen and Hamilton, if you remember – but this time it’s already race two.

Tomorrow we will continue with moving cars, before that we will spend another day together here in the ticker. Norman Fisher welcomes you to the “Media Thursday”, which officially no longer exists, but many teams have already set up an extensive program along the route.

Want to be a part and have questions or comments? Then use the contact form or use the hashtag #FragMST on Twitter.