The Formula 1 circus now heads to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, where teams and drivers are preparing for a weekend of hot and demanding conditions under the Saudi Arabian sun.

Following a sizzling weekend in Bahrain, the paddock won’t get much relief in Jeddah. Forecasts suggest similar high temperatures throughout all three days of action, with the heat and humidity expected to push both drivers and cars to the limit.

Friday’s practice sessions, especially FP1, will be held during daylight hours and are expected to be the hottest part of the weekend. FP1 is forecast to take place in 35°C heat, with high humidity making it feel even warmer. Track temperatures could soar up to 60°C, adding extra stress on tyres and affecting grip levels. While the Jeddah surface is less abrasive than Bahrain’s, tyre wear and cooling will still be major concerns.

Saturday sees little change, with temperatures in the low 30s during FP3 and qualifying. A gentle northwesterly wind is expected, with gusts reaching up to 30 kph during the afternoon before calming by evening. Teams will need to manage their runs carefully to keep tyre temperatures in check, especially under the floodlights during qualifying.

Race day on Sunday is set to continue the trend of hot and dry weather, with temperatures around 31°C at lights out. Winds may pick up earlier in the day, with gusts up to 35 kph, although these should ease by the time the race begins. With the circuit’s location near the Arabian desert, dust and sand could be a factor if winds shift, possibly impacting track conditions and visibility.

There is no chance of rain expected across the entire weekend, so it will be a classic dry-weather challenge in Jeddah. The teams that manage tyre wear and engine cooling the best will likely come out on top in what is shaping up to be another tough test in the desert heat.