Is there anyone who can challenge Pourchaire in Saudi Arabia?

Like Formula 1, Formula 2 will also be in action in Saudi Arabia. After a dominant performance by Theo Pourchaire, will anyone be able to stop the talented Frenchman in 2023? You can read this and more in GPblog's preview.

Pourchaire and ART in top form

Formula 2, like F1, travels from Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, where the second race weekend will be completed at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. ART Grand Prix came out very strong in Bahrain with a 1-2 in qualifying and two podium finishes over the weekend. Pourchaire, therefore, leads the championship with 32 points after his fifth place in the sprint race and victory in the main race.

As part of the Sauber Academy, his third season in F2 is also the year of truth for Pourchaire, who will be vying for Guanyu Zhou's seat at Alfa Romeo. Surprisingly, Ralph Boschung was his greatest competitor in Bahrain. The 25-year-old Swiss driver is driving in his seventh season in F2 for Campos Racing and finished one and two in both races. Whether he can do that every weekend with the small Campos team remains to be seen.

Teammate Victor Martins looks like a more serious challenger for Pourchaire, although he lost many points due to his elimination in the Bahrain main race. Zane Maloney is currently the best Red Bull junior, with him being third in the standings after finishing ninth and third in Bahrain. The race pace shown by the man from Barbados was particularly impressive. Indeed, in both races, he started from P18.

The other intended favourites were disappointing in Bahrain. Dennis Hauger had expected more from his debut on behalf of MP Motorsport, and more was also expected from both Isack Hadjar and Jack Doohan, as they will be looking to hit back in Jeddah. Dutchman Richard Verschoor had a solid start to his season in Bahrain, qualifying in a handsome third place and finishing fifth in the main race for Van Amersfoort Racing.

Where can you follow F2?

Formula 2 can be followed as usual on Viaplay, where the practice, qualifying, sprint race and main race will be broadcast live. You can also go to F1TV for this footage if you have a subscription. At GPblog, there will be an extensive summary of each session and you will also read the first reactions of the drivers.

For the F2 drivers, the action starts on Friday with a practice session early in the afternoon. Later on Friday, qualifying will be run. On Saturday, before F1 qualifying, the first sprint race will then be for the drivers, followed by the main race on Sunday afternoon. The full timetable can be found below.

Timetable F2 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Friday 17 March

Free practice: 11:55-12:40

Qualifying: 16:00-16:30

Saturday 18 March

Sprint race: 16:10-16:55

Sunday 19 March

Main race: 14:15-15:15