Formula 1 heads to Jeddah, a circuit that has always been a tough one for Mercedes. The Brackley team hasn’t reached the podium here since 2021, and last season they struggled significantly during the race. The Saudi track, set against the backdrop of the Corniche, is known for its very high average speed and for a layout that alternates rapid sequences of fast corners with very few slow sections.
The low-speed traction zones that play a key role are Turn 1 and the final chicane before the finish line. The rest of the lap demands high aerodynamic efficiency, excellent car balance, and a flawless mechanical setup. This weekend’s race will be an important test for Mercedes to evaluate how much the package has improved on a circuit that is as fast as it is technical.
Optimising downforce around the same rear wing
To maximise car performance, the German team continues to run the same rear wing used in the previous races. They’re aiming to deepen their understanding of a car that, compared to last year, has quite different strengths. One of the most significant changes to the W16 for Jeddah will be the increase in suspension stiffness, which will naturally be higher than in the early races.
It will therefore be interesting to see how the W16 handles with this setup. The goal is to stabilise the aerodynamic platform through fast corners, allowing the car to operate more efficiently and with less fluctuation in ride height. However, this shift in philosophy will inevitably lead to a partial loss in traction ability—one of the car’s strengths.
We clearly saw this in Turns 1-2 at Sakhir, where, unlike other cars, they didn’t need to short-shift to modulate throttle input. In fact, Mercedes could run through the gears without rear-end slip, a major advantage during acceleration phases.
Aerodynamic efficiency and tyre management
The team will also aim to leverage the solid aerodynamic efficiency shown in Bahrain. This will be made possible by the clean airflow around the bodywork and, presumably, by a greater incidence on the beam wing. By adjusting this element, the team can generate downforce without significantly increasing drag.
This compromise will need to be tested on track. Tyre management will be another crucial factor. After the positive indications in Sakhir, where Mercedes showed strong compound handling—especially with the soft—expectations are positive for Jeddah as well. The more delicate aspect will be tyre warm-up in qualifying.
In this scenario, improving tyre warm-up is essential to increase front-end grip. Only by achieving more precision on corner entry can both drivers optimise their lap times. In Jeddah, Kimi Antonelli will be able to draw on his experience from last season in Formula 2. Although performance references are completely different, familiarity with the circuit may work in his favour.
Kimi faces tyre test
After a season start focused on learning and adaptation, Antonelli will now have the opportunity to accelerate his integration with the car by immediately focusing on tyre preparation dynamics and building confidence through fast corners. This is the real test for the driver from Bologna, who showed good ability in the last race in Bahrain but still needs to improve tyre management.
In qualifying, when compared to Russell, he lost tenths specifically through cornering, failing to maximise the grip provided by the compound. The Italian can rely on an aerodynamic setup similar to the one used at Sakhir to improve handling, building on some solid reference points.
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