Formula 1 fever to hit Saudi Arabia this weekend

By Can Erozden

ANKARA (AA) - The second round of the 2023 Formula 1 season will be held in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Launched in 2021, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be run over 50 laps at the 6.1-kilometer (3.79-mile) Jeddah Corniche Circuit and will start at 1700GMT.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, the back-to-back champion, won the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5.

Verstappen, 25, who was suffering from stomach illness will arrive in Jeddah on Friday.

"Feeling fine again, after not being fit for a few days because of a stomach bug," Verstappen said on Twitter on Thursday.

"Therefore, I unfortunately had to postpone my flight for a day, so I won't be on the track until Friday. See you in Jeddah!," he added.

Before Sunday's race, practices and qualifying session will be held at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

- Top 5 drivers, teams of season

- 2023 Driver Standings

1. Max Verstappen (The Netherlands): 25 points

2. Sergio Perez (Mexico): 18

3. Fernando Alonso (Spain): 15

4. Carlos Sainz (Spain): 12

5. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain): 10

- Constructor Standings

1. Red Bull: 43

2. Aston Martin: 23

3. Mercedes: 16

4. Ferrari: 12

5. Alfa Romeo: 4