Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2024 Predictions: Verstappen to set pace once again

The Formula One World Championship continues with its second race of the season as the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2024 takes centre stage. Now make sure you aren’t caught out this weekend, qualifying is on Friday, with lights out at 17:00 (GMT) on Saturday afternoon. That is due to Ramadan beginning on Sunday, with normal service set to resume in Australia at the end of the month. 

Max Verstappen will be hoping to back up his impressive win in Bahrain with another victory here, as the three-time world champion bagged pole position, the fastest lap and the race win to bag his 12th career hat-trick on the opening weekend. We’re set for another action-packed weekend, so here are our Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2024 predictions. 

Max Verstappen fastest lap @ 8/11

Okay, let’s get things out of the way early on. Max Verstappen is already likely to win the world championship based on what we saw at the Bahrain Grand Prix. He took pole position, and was never in any danger of letting it slip, after seeing off the challenge of Charles Leclerc in turn one. 

Despite all the ongoing issues at Red Bull behind the scenes, on the track they have the best car, and the best driver, it really is as simple as that sometimes. Although I do not want to rule anything out just one race into the longest season ever, it seems like an impossible task to catch Max and Red Bull right now. He completed the hat-trick last weekend, and I wouldn’t back against him doing the same thing in Saudi. 

He’s just 3/10 to win the race, and and 1/7 to finish on the podium, so backing him to bag the fastest lap at 8/11 actually represents good value by comparison. We’re likely to see another Max masterclass this weekend. 

Carlos Sainz podium finish @ 13/8

Bahrain gave us a first glimpse at race pace this season, and it also painted out a clear top 10. Sure, it was only one race and teams will fluctuate at different tracks, but it seems as though we have an obvious order of superiority already carved out. 

Red Bull top the charts after their one-two, followed by Ferrari, who came third and fourth in Bahrain. McLaren and Mercedes tussled it out to be the third-best team, with Aston Martin rounding off the points. With such a clear structure to the top 10, I expect the same teams to feature at the top of the order. 

In the end, Carlos Sainz finished 14 seconds ahead of his teammate in fourth, and over 20 seconds ahead of George Russell in fifth. The Spaniard clearly has a point to prove having been ditched for Lewis Hamilton in 2025 and it wouldn’t be a surprise to me if he continues to outperform his teammate this year. With a serious driver reshuffle expected in winter, Sainz wants to earn himself a position at one of the top teams. Another podium will raise eyebrows. 

Lance Stroll top 10 @ 4/6

I’ve just explained the current rankings from Bahrain, which clearly indicate that Aston Martin will be the fifth-best team for the opening few weeks of the season. Lance Stroll wasn’t on top form, but he still had enough in the tank to finish well clear of 11th-placed Zhou Guanyu. 

In truth, it was a disappointing showing from the likes of RB, Kick Sauber and Haas. You’d fancy the likes of Daniel Ricciardo to break into the top 10 as the season progresses, but with a week between these two races, I’m not expecting too much change. In my eyes, Stroll offers good value to secure another top 10 finish at 4/6.

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