Saudi Arabian GP 2023 | Verstappen favourite again, but all eyes on Alonso

Ferrari, under new management and enthused by fresh hope, will also want to make a statement at a circuit where they finished second and third last season.

Max Verstappen may start as favourite, but Fernando Alonso will have widespread popular support this weekend when this year's Formula One season resumes at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

After his dashing and surprising podium finish behind the two Red Bulls at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix two weeks ago, the 41-year-old Spaniard has played down high expectations of a repeat in his sleek new Aston Martin.

But he knows that the high-speed Jeddah Street Circuit, a thin hair-clip of asphalt squeezed above a lagoon on the corniche, 12 kilometres north of the city, offers a very different challenge to man and machine.

"I think that we found, in Bahrain, that we were strong in things that maybe we won't have in Jeddah, or in Melbourne," he explained.

"So, if we are strong again, in these two races, I think we are going to have a very good year.

"I am curious about these races - very different circuits, with high-speed corners and very low degradation. It's going to be very different."

After his commanding victory in Bahrain, ahead of Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez, defending world champion Verstappen will be the man to beat with Aston Martin, Ferrari and Mercedes in hot pursuit.