F1 drivers warned of injury during inaugural Saudi Arabian GP

Alpine executive director Marcin Budkowski has warned drivers could sustain injury with a crash at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix given the venue's profile.

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is dubbed the 'fastest street track in F1 history', with average lap speeds second to only Monza on the current calendar.

The track winds its way through 27 corners - only 14 of which are generally recognised by an F1 car given downforce generated - with only three braking zones resembling anything near a heavy braking moment at turns one, 13 and 27.

Turns 22, 23 and 24 offer the most spectacular viewing, with the walls narrowing as the cars jink left and right under the Saudi Royal box, with SAFER and TEC PRO barriers in use in the danger zones.

Assessing the circuit after the first practice session, Budkowski commented: "Fernando [Alonso] said it was a pretty demanding circuit, which we kind of knew having prepared for this race and walked it last night.

"Lots of blind corners and high speed between walls so lots of very high attention at all times to make sure you don't make a mistake.

"A mistake... you are going to pay very severely. If you crash, you could damage the car badly or even hurt yourself.

"We haven't seen any of this [in FP1] which is good but it is a very demanding circuit and one that is going to produce a good show I think."

Alonso finished the session ninth whilst team-mate Esteban Ocon managed 12th, with just two-tenths [of a second] separating the pair.

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