F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix preview: Facts, fastest times, laps, odds, ticket prices for Jeddah Street Circuit

03-19-2023
7 min read
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In Formula One, it doesn't get much more exciting yet dangerous than the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. 

The fastest street circuit of all time in the sport with cars averaging over 250KM/H, this track layout also has the most corners of any race on the 2023 calendar.

Those 27 corners, plus the tight nature of the circuit will once again put the 20 drivers on the grid through their paces.

From circuit stats to previous results, The Sporting News tells you everything you need to know about the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and its history. 

MORE: F1 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Predictions, odds, betting tips and best bets for latest Formula One race

Jeddah Street Circuit facts and layout

  • First Grand Prix hosted: 2021
  • Numbers of laps: 50
  • Circuit length: 6.174km
  • Total race distance: 308.45km
  • Lap record: 1:30.734 by Lewis Hamilton in 2021
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MORE: 2023 season calendar, list of circuits, fastest ever lap times and more

Five interesting facts about the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

  • The Jeddah Street Circuit has the most corners of any track on the 2023 F1 calendar with 27. 
     
  • In a similar vein, after Monza which is also known as 'the temple of speed', this circuit averages the second-highest speeds of any circuit on the calendar in 2023. 
     
  • In 2021, this circuit became the 75th different venue to join the F1 calendar throughout its history. 
     
  • Jeddah's street circuit was designed by Carsten Tilke and only just completed in time for its inaugural race in F1 as the final asphalt for the track was laid just two weeks before the race commenced. 
     
  • Ahead of the first Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021, the world's biggest Lego car - made up of over 500,000 bricks — was built to commemorate the occasion. 

Full schedule for 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Here's the full list for the upcoming 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, including start times for practice, qualifying and race day. 

Date Session Time (ET) Time (GMT) Time (AEDT)
Friday, March 17 Practice 1  09:30 13:30 00:30 (Saturday, March 18)
Friday, March 17 Practice 2 13:00 17:00 04:00 (Saturday, March 18)
Saturday, March 18 Practice 3 09:30 13:30 00:30 (Sunday, March 19)
Saturday, March 18 Qualifying 13:00 17:00 04:00 (Sunday, March 19)
Sunday, March 19 Race 13:00 17:00 04:00 (Monday, March 20)

F1 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix ticket prices, availability 

Heading into the week of the race there are still some tickets left for fans to buy from the official F1 website. 

Although the Central Grandstand is already sold out for the event, tickets can be purchased in the Main Grandstand with prices starting at €591.75 for the whole weekend (Friday - Sunday).

General Admission tickets for the race track between Friday and Sunday can also still be bought for €146.72 and so too can Premium Hospitality tickets.

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You'll need to have deep pockets for one of those however as prices for hospitality at this late stage will cost you at least €4127.50.

MORE: Who has the most podiums in F1 history?

F1 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix TV channel, live stream

List of TV providers for the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. 

  UK USA Canada Australia
TV Channel Sky Sports F1 ESPN/ABC TSN (English); RDS (French) Fox Sports

List of live stream providers for the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. 

  UK USA Canada Australia
Live Stream NOW TV / Sky Go app ESPN+, fuboTV TSN Direct Kayo

Odds for the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

As expected, two-time world champion Max Verstappen has been heavy favourite to win the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix by the bookmakers following his impressive victory last time out. 

According to the bookies, his closest competition here will come in the form of Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez and then Ferrari's Charles Leclerc after that. 

Full list of odds for drivers to win the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Odds via BetMGM (USA), Sports Interaction (Canada), SkyBet (UK), Neds (Australia) and Dafabet (India). Odds correct as of March 14. 

Driver  BetMGM Sports
Interaction
SkyBet Neds Dafabet
Max Verstappen -200 1.52 8/15 1.50 1.50
Sergio Perez +550 6.96 5/1 6.50 6.00
Charles Leclerc +700 7.39 8/1 8.00 11.00
Fernando Alonso +1000 12.00 9/1 11.00 9.00
Carlos Sainz +1200 12.00 12/1 13.00 15.00
Lewis Hamilton +2200 25.00 25/1 23.00 26.00
George Russell +2800 31.00 33/1 29.00 34.00
Lance Stroll +6600 85.00 50/1 67.00 67.00
Esteban Ocon +15000 331.00 300/1 151 501
Pierre Gasly +15000 320.00 300/1 151 501
Lando Norris +25000 812.00 500/1 251 1001
Valtteri Bottas +30000 331.00 300/1 301 501
Alex Albon +75000 1776.00 1500/1 751 1501
Nico Hulkenberg +100000 812.00 750/1 1001 1001
Zhou Guanyu +100000 378.00 500/1 1001 751
Kevin Magnussen +100000 812.00 750/1 1001 1001
Yuki Tsunoda +100000 2501.00 2000/1 1001 2501
Oscar Piastri +100000 1776.00 1000/1 1001 1501
Logan Sargeant +150000 1429.00 2000/1 1501 2001
Nyck de Vries +200000 2501.00 2000/1 2501 2501

Weather for the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Just like in Bahrain two weeks ago, it is extremely likely that the weather for the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be dry. 

With dry conditions all weekend, given its one of the night races on the calendar, drivers and teams do not have to contest with the blazing sun for qualifying or the race itself. 

Temperatures in Jeddah right now are around 30 degrees Celsius.