WEEKEND WARM-UP: The drivers prepare to race at extreme Jeddah Corniche Circuit

The F1 drivers got their first proper glimpse of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit as they arrived in the paddock for the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Yes, the 6.175km track looked spectacular, while with stereotype speeds of 157mph to contend with this weekend, the drivers who carried out track walks and rides certainly had lots to think about, with Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas describing the circuit as “extreme”.

But there were plenty of other storylines doing the rounds in Saudi Arabia too, not least the fearsome title wrestle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, with Verstappen eight points superiority of his rival going into the race, and with a chance of sealing his first-ever crown this weekend.

READ MORE: Hamilton relaxed superiority of Saudi Arabian GP as he says 2021 title win would be most significant of his career

Meanwhile, on a increasingly sombre note, the drivers moreover paid tribute to Sir Frank Williams, who passed yonder last Sunday, weather-beaten 79.

Join Will Buxton, Laura Winter and Lawrence Barretto as they guide you through the biggest stories on Thursday in Saudi Arabia.