Red Bull Racing predicts that the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah F1 circuit more suitable for their championship rival Mercedes. Jeddah Corniche Circuit is the second-longest on the 2021 F1 calendar at 6.175km. Currently Jeddah is the world’s fastest F1 street circuit, Simulator shows 322km/h.

Jeddah have three potential DRS zones, but the number of zones officially not yet confirmed by the FIA. The most likely place for a DRS zone is on the straight, and there could be a second zone in the middle of the circuit. Drivers may also be allowed to open the wing before entering the penultimate corner.

DRS Zone has been most favourable for Mercedes because they will use a fresher power unit (which is used at Brazil) in the title competitor Lewis Hamilton’s car. It will be deliver huge advantages for Hamilton on the straights as Max Verstappen and Red Bull will face big challenges on there.

“The next track arguably should favour Mercedes,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner. “Abu Dhabi, with the modifications made there, who knows? It’s been incredibly tight, so we go into these last races eight points in the lead in the drivers’ championship.

“We’ve reduced the championship lead in the Constructors’ to five points, so both are fully in play. That’s fantastic, because we’re not at the climax of this championship.”

He was also encouraged by the straight-line speed performance of the respective teams in Qatar.

“I think what we’ve seen in recent races has been abnormal straight-line speed,” said Horner of Mercedes’ package.

“The fact that Toto [Wolff] has felt the need to point out that we’ve gained straight-line speed when nothing’s changed…

“I think it is encouraging that for the first race since prior to Silverstone, we’ve been able to match them in straight-line speed and it’s been exponential at recent races.”

Both championships go all the way to Abu Dhabi – Horner

“I think we’ve been around the world over the last three weekends and we’ve pretty much finished where we started with the points difference,” added Horner.

“It’s incredibly close. Mercedes have got a very quick car at moment. In Mexico, the pendulum was with us, in Austin, there was nothing to choose between the two.

“I’m glad to be taking in an eight-point advantage into the next race and we’ve just got to do the best that we can to maximise our chances.

“I said from very beginning of this championship, I think it’ll go all the way to Abu Dhabi, and I haven’t changed my opinion yet.”