Saudi Arabian GP: 'Brutal' track section labelled 'dangerous'

Stake F1 driver Zhou Guanyu has labelled the "brutal" exit turn 10 exit kerb at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit "quite dangerous".

F1 returns to the circuit for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for its fourth event on the what is dubbed the world's fastest street circuit.

A number of safety changes have been made since the inaugural running, including through the first sector which ends after turn 10, where barriers were moved back to allow drivers a better line of sight through the exhilarating sweepers throughout.

But a high kerb prevents track limit abuse at the corner in question and has caused a number of issues in previous events, not least Mick Schumacher's car-splitting crash for Haas in 2022.

"I like this track," Zhou told media including RacingNews365.

"The only corner maybe I don't like so much is turn 10, that exit kerb is a bit brutal when you bottom out and it is quite dangerous.

"But in general it is really nice. It is more because of the grip, the tarmac. It is the best in terms of grip compared to the other circuits, very similar to the European tracks in some cases.

"It is nice that you can really push these cars to the limit on the high speed and it is a nice feeling.

"A bit more room than other street circuits and qualifying is very nice because of the flow in sector one, when you get it right, you really feel the difference."

'Clear where lap time is coming from'

Whilst sector one is characterised by the blind, sweeping corners, the second and final sectors give way to high-speed straights, which allow for great overtaking opportunities.

On where the most time can be made up on rivals, Zhou replied: "Sector one. The blind corners, if you have good confidence and rhythm, you can [gain] there.

"When you don't feel confident with the car in the high-to-medium speed corners, you will struggle in sector one.

"It's clear for us where the lap time is coming from and where you can really beat other teams and drivers, you have to commit to that first sector."