How many of your pre-race predictions for the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix were correct? Find out below!
1. WILL VERSTAPPEN WIN THE TITLE?
YOUR PREDICTION: NO
CORRECT ANSWER: NO
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was the first potentially title-deciding race of the 2021 season. To win the championship in Jeddah, Max Verstappen needed to out-score Lewis Hamilton by 18 points. Hamilton finished ahead of Verstappen in the race and the pair head to the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi level on points.
2. HOW MANY SAFETY CARS WILL THERE BE?
YOUR PREDICTION: 2
CORRECT ANSWER: 3 OR MORE
It was a hectic race in Jeddah. There were two Red Flag periods, two Safety Car periods and no fewer than 6 Virtual Safety Car stints. We’re counting this as 3 or more Safety Car periods, as the Safety Car was also deployed to lead the field back to the grid after the two Red Flag periods.
3. HOW FAST WILL THE POLE LAP BE?
YOUR PREDICTION: HIGHER
CORRECT ANSWER: HIGHER
Lewis Hamilton took pole position with a lap that was taken at an average speed of 253.984km/h – just over a kilometre faster than F1’s simulations suggested. It was the twentieth fastest pole lap in F1 history.
4. WHO WILL FINISH HIGHER – BOTTAS OR PEREZ?
YOUR PREDICTION: BOTTAS
CORRECT ANSWER: BOTTAS
Valtteri Bottas did indeed finish the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in a better position than Sergio Perez. Bottas passed Esteban Ocon on the line to claim the final podium spot. Meanwhile, Perez crashed out of the race early on following contact with Charles Leclerc.
5. WILL MERCEDES WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP?
YOUR PREDICTION: NO
CORRECT ANSWER: NO
It was a big ask for Mercedes to win the title this weekend. They would have needed to out-score Red Bull by 40 points. Even though Sergio Perez retired from the race, Mercedes’ 1-3 result was not enough for them to clinch an eight consecutive Constructors’ Championship.
Let us know how you got on with this race’s predictions! There’ll be more predictions to be made ahead of the next Grand Prix. Follow Lights Out on twitter to take part: @LightsOutF1Blog!