Formula 1 heads to Saudi Arabia for 1st time this weekend

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) – Saudi Arabia will host its first Formula 1 race this weekend at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

The circuit will host the penultimate round of the year, with 50 laps to be run on a 6.1-kilometer (3.7-mile) track.

The qualifying laps of the 21st race of the season will start on Saturday at 1400GMT with the race itself scheduled for 1730GMT on Sunday.

Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes have been in fierce competition for the 2021 title.

Verstappen has nine Grand Prix wins while Hamilton has seven in the championship. Sergio Perez (Red Bull-Honda), Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren-Mercedes), and Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) have tasted one victory each so far.

- Driver standings

1. Max Verstappen (Netherlands): 351.5 points

2. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain): 343.5

3. Valtteri Bottas (Finland): 203

4. Sergio Perez (Mexico): 190

5. Lando Norris (Great Britain): 153

- Constructor standings

1. Mercedes 546.5

2. Red Bull: 541.5

3. Ferrari: 297.5

4. McLaren: 258

5. Alpine: 137