P1racenews AI automatic summary:
A deeper dive into the laptimes from the opening Saudi Arabian GP practice, as reigning champion Max Verstappen led the way
Max Verstappen set the fastest time in the first free practice session for the 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Formula 1, just ahead of Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin by less than two tenths of a second. In Jeddah, a high-speed circuit, George Russell’s Mercedes, along with Sergio Perez’s Red Bull, were among the four cars that lapped under 1m30s, showing competitive speeds. The track in Jeddah is faster and requires lower downforce compared to Bahrain, with temperatures about 20°C higher. Verstappen faced a challenge with oversteer through Turn 16, highlighting the track’s difficulty. Despite early indications of competitiveness, conclusions are challenging to draw due to varying run plans and conditions. The session saw varying tire strategies, with teams like McLaren and Alpine showing promising signs for the upcoming race.
