2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (March 2022) |
| 2022 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Race 2 of 23 in the 2022 Formula One World Championship
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 The circuit layout | |||||
| Race details | |||||
| Date | 27 March 2022 | ||||
| Official name | Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2022 | ||||
| Location | Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia | ||||
| Course | Street Circuit | ||||
| Course length | 6.174 km (3.836 miles) | ||||
| Scheduled distance | 50 laps, 308.450 km (191.661 miles) | ||||
The 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (officially known as the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2022) is a Formula One motor race that will be held on 27 March 2022 at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia. It is the second edition of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and the second round of the 2022 Formula One World Championship.
Background
The race was held in 25-27 March 2022. This was the second race to be held in Saudi Arabia after the first one held in December 2021. The race take place one week after the Bahrain Grand Prix and two weeks before the Australian Grand Prix.
On 25 March, an Aramco oil depot near Jeddah, approximately 16 km (10 mi) from the circuit, was attacked by drones and missiles, triggering a large fire. Yemen's Houthi rebels, who were also accused of launching a missile during the 2021 Diriyah ePrix, allegedly claimed responsibility.[1] Black smoke was seen during the first practice session. The second practice session was delayed by 15 minutes to allow for an emergency meeting between the drivers, team principals and Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali.[2] Formula One and the organisers, announced that the event would continue as planned, despite the attack.[3] The Grand Prix Drivers' Association held a further meeting with the drivers at 22:00 local time, and as a result, all drivers have agreed to participate for the remainder of the event after 4+1⁄2 hours of talks. According to the BBC, as well as drivers being reassured over security, drivers were also convinced to race after being warned of "the consequences of not racing" which reportedly included potential difficulties with leaving the country in the event of a boycot.[4]
Championship standings before the race
Charles Leclerc is the Drivers' Championship leader after the previous weekend's first round, with eight points separating him from his teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. and 11 points from Lewis Hamilton.[5] In the Constructors' Championship, Ferrari leads Mercedes by 17 points and Haas by a further 17.[6]
Entrants
The drivers and teams were the same as the season entry list, with the exception of Sebastian Vettel, who was replaced by Nico Hülkenberg for a second consecutive race, with the former still recovering from coronavirus.[7][8]
Tyre choices
Tyre supplier Pirelli brought the C2, C3, and C4 tyre compounds (designated hard, medium, and soft, respectively) for teams to use at the event.[9]
Practice
There are due to be three practice sessions, each lasting one hour. The first two practice sessions have taken place on Friday 25 March at 17:00 and 20:00 local time (UTC+03:00). The third practice session is due to take place at 17:00 on 26 March.[10] Ferrari's Charles Leclerc topped both of the Friday practice sessions despite the fact he and teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. were forced to end their second practice early after hitting the wall.
Qualifying
Qualifying is due to take place on 26 March at 20:00 local time and last for one hour.[10]
Race
The race is due to start at 20:00 local time on 27 March and last for 50 laps, with a time limit of two hours.[10]
See also
References
- ^ Noble, Jonathan. "F1 awaiting information on oil refinery attacks in Jeddah". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan. "Second Jeddah F1 practice delayed after emergency meeting". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia Grand Prix to continue as planned after attack at oil depot near Jeddah circuit". www.skysports.com. Sky Sports. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ "Saudi GP to go ahead despite nearby attack". BBC Sport. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
- ^ "F1 Drivers 2022". Formula 1. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "F1 Teams 2022". Formula 1. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Entry List" (PDF). Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ "Vettel to miss second race of 2022, as Hulkenberg steps in for Aston Martin in Saudi Arabia". Formula1. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
- ^ Will Wood (7 March 2022). "Pirelli chooses hardest tyres for first race and splits selection for Melbourne". www.racefans.net. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
- ^ a b c "Saudi Arabia timetable". Formula 1. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)