F1 News

Pirelli expects big challenge in Saudi Arabia: 'No one has experience'

Pirelli expects big challenge in Saudi Arabia: 'No one has experience'

24-03-2022 12:31 Last update: 14:09

GPblog.com

This coming weekend, Formula 1 travels to Saudi Arabia for the second race of the season. Pirelli boss Mario Isola expects a big challenge for the drivers and teams due to the new 18-inch tyres on the street circuit.

Compared to the Bahrain Grand Prix, the available tyres this weekend are all one compound softer. The street circuit of Jeddah is completely different and presents yet another challenge for the drivers.

Also at Pirelli there is still a lot of uncertainty. It remains to be seen how the new 18-inch tyres will behave on the still new circuit, which was on the F1 calendar for the first time in 2021. The circuit was modified during the winter break to improve visibility in a number of corners. 

Big challenge for drivers

"Jeddah marks a completely different challenge compared to the opening grand prix in Bahrain due to the diverse track characteristics, both in terms of layout and asphalt. The teams head into Jeddah with no experience of these tyres and cars on the circuit, and conditions could be somewhat different from last time in Saudi Arabia, with the race now being held at a different time of year and a few track modifications in store," Isola says on the Pirelli website.