Saudi Arabia confirms F1 track changes after safety concerns

Saudi Arabia confirms track changes for the second race of the 2022 F1 season following concerns over driver safety after the inaugural event last year saw several interruptions including two red-flag periods

  • Saudi Arabia will play host to the second race of the 2022 Formula One season
  • The first ever race at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit took place last season 
  • There were concerns over driver safety with a number of blind corners
  • Changes have been made to the track on the back of drivers’ comments 

The organisers of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix have confirmed that changes will be made to the controversial street circuit following concerns from drivers over the safety of the track.

After hosting the penultimate race of the 2021 season, Saudi Arabia will play host to the second Grand Prix of the new campaign.

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit hosted its first race last season but saw several interruptions including two red flags and multiple crashes.

Changes will be made to the Saudi Arabia circuit after a chaotic race towards the end of last season

The race had two red-flag periods and there were a spate of safety car and virtual safety car periods (Mick Schumacher pictured, crashed out of the race)

Organisers have now confirmed that drivers’ concerns have been listened to and there will be a number of changes to the circuit ahead of the race on March 27.

‘It has already been confirmed that some minor tweaks will be made to the circuit to help improve driver sight lines from the cockpit by improving visibility in several of the circuit’s corners including Turns 2, 3, 14 and 21 where the barriers will be moved back between 1.5m and 2m,’ a statement from race promoter Saudi Motorsport Company said.

‘Likewise, the barrier on the right-hand side of Turn 27 will be moved back by around 1.5m to widen the track at this point. In all cases except Turn 27, the track limit/edge will remain the same. 

The Williams of George Russell was hit by Nikita Mazepin while he tried to avoid a collision up the road

Russell, now driving for Mercedes, said at the time that the circuit was ‘lacking from a safety perspective’

‘In addition, further modifications will also be made to Turns 4, 16, 22 and 24 after consultation with the drivers who requested a smoother barrier on the apex so that they can potentially brush it as they pass.’

The circuit contained a number of blind corners that caught out several drivers in last year’s race.

This led to a hefty accident when George Russell, trying to avoid Sergio Perez and Charles LeClerc who had collided, was smashed into the back of by the Haas of Nikita Mazepin. 

Drivers complained about the safety of the track including a number of blind corners

Russell told Motorsport.com after the race: ‘It seemed pretty inevitable, you go around a Turn 2 that’s fairly wide and open – cars can go side by side – and then it really funnels in and goes pretty narrow pretty fast.

‘I came around a blind corner, cars were everywhere, I slowed down and then got completely hit from behind.

‘It’s an incredibly exhilarating and exciting track to drive but it’s lacking a lot from a safety perspective and a racing perspective.’

This brought out the second red flag of the race after the other Haas of Mick Schumacher, also crashed to bring out the safety car.

There was a spate of safety car and virtual safety car periods while the Formula 2 feeder-series race was cut from 28 to 5 laps after it was delayed due to barrier repairs and was stopped twice. 




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