“We’re now back to hard racing, fast racing, and pushing the car to the limit,” David Coulthard delighted after the Saudi Arabia GP.

David Coulthard

If not for the drivers on the grid, David Coulthard sure did love the Jeddah Circuit in the Saudi Arabia GP due to it being the fastest street circuit under the lights and also putting forth a challenge for the drivers. Competing on this track can be very exhausting as it is the second-largest track on the Formula One calendar, right after Spa-Francorchamps.

One car’s average simulation speed on the track can easily exceed of 250km/hr. (160 mph), making it hard for others to not fall in love with the track. David Coutlhard admitted being a fan of this track due to its ability to leave the drivers “pretty exhausted”.

While the drivers made their way towards the media pens post-race after the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, the drivers started to note a change in their physical strengths and admitted to have been facing physical challenges after competing on the fastest street circuit on the calendar.

FS Video

For the second Sunday in a row, the two World Championship contenders battled it out in spectacular fashion, with Leclerc finishing second after his victory in Bahrain. After a 50-lap battle with Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen took the top step of the podium in Saudi Arabia.

David Coulthard’s take on driver’s condition after racing on the fastest track

“Well, it looks really eye-openingly fast. It looks very challenging with not much room for error, it’s part of the challenge of Formula 1.” Said David, being awe-struck with the circuit. “What I did love is to see all the drivers pretty knackered at the end of it, pretty exhausted. For so long in the hybrid era, they weren’t even sweating at the end of the Grand Prix!” added Coutlhard after seeing the drivers sweat.

While David talked about fantastic track and how it drains the driver out, the 13-time race winner also acknowledged the strength, hard work and the efforts drivers put in, in order to race for 50 laps trapped in the suit, within a small space. “We’re now back to hard racing, fast racing, and pushing the car to the limit – and I say fantastic.” Said Coutlhard wishing for more intense battles in the upcoming races.

Controversy in the Saudi Arabia GP:

The Saudi Arabia GP will be remembered for much more than just the Red Bull and Ferrari fight. On Friday, the missile strikes on a nearby Aramco oil depot put a pause to the entire event, leading to a four-hour meeting deciding on whether or not the race be held. While panic increasing regarding safety concerns.

While during qualifying on Saturday, Mick Schumacher’s Haas crashed hard at a high-speed turn, resulting in him being dragged out of the car and being airlifted to the nearest hospital within minutes.

Despite Coulthard’s compliments, future of the track on the F1 calendar will be reconsidered according to the Alpha Romeo driver, Valtteri Bottas.

Also read: “Sometimes racing hurts”: Sergio Perez on losing Saudi Arabia GP from…

Also read: Valtteri Bottas admits it has been “weird” to see Mercedes struggle…