With Verstappen 15th on the grid and Leclerc 12th on the grid, can a win and a podium be achieved on a dangerous walled street circuit? – TopNews

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Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who was the most likely candidate for the F1 Saudi Arabian GP, ​​had a mechanical problem with the drive shaft when he entered the qualifying Q2 attack and stayed in 15th on the grid.

●[2023 F1 Round 2 Saudi Arabian GP]Starting grid

In addition, podium candidate Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) was given a 10 grid demotion penalty for replacing the power unit’s CE (control electronics) with a third one. The CE is limited to 2 units per year, and with more than 20 races left, the situation is extremely difficult.

However, Leclerc did not give up and took 2nd place in the qualifying, and the race started from 12th on the grid and aimed for a higher position.

Both of them will start from the middle and back, but they said “I will not give up”, and I am determined to finish in the top position even if there is only one car. It is an undeniable fact that its speed is incomparable to the machines around it.

A walled street circuit will block their way. Races are different than qualifying. The battle between the midfield and the rear is fierce, and there is a high possibility of getting involved in an accident. If you try to avoid it, you may run conservatively, and while doing so, the leading competitors will run away and you will build a sufficient margin.

■ 2008 Singapore GP: Alonso wins after qualifying 15th

Fernando Alonso won the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix after starting from the back on the street circuit.

At that time, Fernando Alonso (Renault) was recording the top time in the second and third free practice sessions, but trouble occurred in qualifying and he finished 15th.

However, when it comes to the race, teammate Nelson Piquet Jr suddenly crashes. The introduction of the safety car caused chaos, and Alonso won the big reversal.

However, after the race, it became public that Piquet Jr.’s crash was directed by the team, and team representative Flavio Briatore was banned from F1 for life, and engineering director Pat Simmons was suspended for five years. It is said that the worst incident is “Crash Gate”.

■ Räikkönen wins the 2005 F1 Japan GP from 17th on the grid

One of the permanent circuit races that many Japanese F1 fans will remember is the 2005 F1 Japan GP, ​​which was won by Kimi Raikkonen (McLaren), who started from 17th in qualifying. However, at this time, it rained in the middle of the qualifying session, and the top teams were unable to set a time.

The race was blessed with good weather, and there was confusion during the race, and Raikkonen succeeded in overtaking from the outside at the first corner of the final lap and won the come-from-behind victory.

On the street circuit, Olivier Panis (Ligier Mugen Honda), who started from 14th on the grid at the 1996 Monaco GP, took advantage of the timing of the rain to take his first win.

■ F1 Saudi Arabia GP depends on the safety car

In addition to this, looking back on the big come-from-behind wins in successive races, the weather and turbulence during the race had a big impact. However, the weather forecast for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is ​​clear, and Verstappen and Leclerc’s victory will depend on the safety car.

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