Red Bull say they "expect no problems" this weekend after diagnosing the issue that caused Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez to retire in Bahrain; Watch this weekend's Saudi Arabian GP all live on Sky Sports F1, starting with practice on Friday
Friday 25 March 2022 09:28, UK
Red Bull have revealed the problem that caused their double DNF in F1's season-opener and are confident they have found an immediate fix for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez's cars for the Saudi Arabian GP.
Both Verstappen and Perez suffered strange reliability failures in the closing stages of last weekend's Bahrain GP, with their engines cutting out when running in podium positions, resulting in retirements.
The early diagnosis was a fuel pump issue and Verstappen told Sky Sports F1 on Thursday that it was "complicated" and that "there was no fuel going to the engine anymore".
Red Bull confirmed with a statement on Friday morning before the Saudi Arabian GP, that "both cars suffered from a lack of fuel pressure last weekend".
"The correct amount of fuel was in both cars, but a vacuum prevented the pumps from drawing fuel and delivering it to the engine," a spokesperson explained.
The Saudi Arabian GP kicks off later on Friday with practice. All sessions, through to Sunday's race at 6pm, are live on Sky Sports F1.
"We've taken the necessary steps to correct this issue and we expect no problems this weekend," Red Bull added.
Sky Sports F1 is your home for every race this season, and it continues with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend.
All the action - from Friday's two practice sessions (2pm and 5pm) through to Saturday's final practice (2pm) and qualifying (5pm) and Sunday's Grand Prix (6pm) - is live on the channel, while as always you can also follow the action online on the Sky Sports App.
Jenson Button, Paul Di Resta, Anthony Davidson, Johnny Herbert, David Croft, Simon Lazenby and Natalie Pinkham will all be in Jeddah bringing their expert insight and analysis.
* indicates simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event. Friday's Drivers Press Conference is only on Main Event.
Friday, March 25
10.30am: F1 Drivers Press Conference (on Sky Sports Main Event)
11.25pm: Formula 2 Practice
1.30pm: Saudi Arabian GP Practice One* (session starts 2pm)
3.20pm: Formula 2 Qualifying*
4.45pm: Saudi Arabian GP Practice Two (session starts 5pm)
6.10pm: The F1 Show
Saturday, March 26
12.25pm: Formula 2 Sprint Race
1.45pm: Saudi Arabian GP Practice Three (session starts 2pm)
4pm: Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying build-up
5pm: SAUDI ARABIAN GP QUALIFYING
8pm: Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying hits
Sunday, March 27
2.30pm: Formula 2 Feature Race
4.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Saudi Arabia*
6pm: THE SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX
8pm: Chequered Flag: Saudi Arabia*
9.30pm: Saudi Arabian GP Highlights
The Formula 1 season continues on Friday on Sky Sports F1 with the Saudi Arabian GP. Sunday's race starts at 6pm. Find out more & subscribe.