Max Verstappen guaranteed the pole position for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix with a brilliant lap at the end of the qualifying session.
Max Verstappen guaranteed the pole position for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix with a brilliant lap at the end of the qualifying session. The Red Bull driver has exceeded Oscar Pasters only for 0s010, in a fierce controversy for the first position. George Russell took third position.
Bearman had recorded 1m29s167 from Haas, opening eight tenths on Ocon. However, with the projections that pointed around the house 1m27 for the pole, both had a lot to look for.
Albon took the provisional leadership with 1m28s866, overcoming Hulkenberg, who had also left Bearman and Ocon behind him. Before them, Doohan had already improved his mark.
With twelve minutes until the end of the session, all the pilots were already on the track – at least on the preparation laps – except Lawson, which was the last to leave the pits. In a long circuit like Jeddah, this left him with little time available for a strong lap. Tsunoda arrived third at that moment and, despite the beating of the day before, showed solid performance.
Verstappen could not exceed Norris’ time, but he was close to 0s122. Norris had marked 1m28s026 and hired leadership.
The Australian went to the top of the table, only 0s007 in front of his teammate. With ten minutes on the clock, the difference between Pistra and Norris was minimal – and it became even smaller: Pisters took the tip.
Bortoleto, who had lost all the TL2 due to a fuel loss – precisely the most representative session – faced further difficulties in qualifying well.
Nine minutes from the end, Strenll, Bearman, Sainz, Bortoto and Ocon were in the elimination area.
Norris then resumed the leadership of the session, with two tenths ahead of Pasters, who was preparing for another quick return.
Replays showed that Gasly was released from the garage still with the coverage of the right front rubber. A mechanic rapidly ran to remove it before reaching Fast Lane, but the commissioners could still investigate what happened.
Deleted in Q1 ❌
16. Walk
17. Doohan
18. Hulkenberg
19. Ocon
20. Bortoleto
Q2
At the beginning of the Q2 Replays showed many disputes in the garage, with Lawson soon noticed by an insecure release. However, the commissioners excluded the question and the session followed.
Pisters and Verstappen had new tires, as well as Gasly, and Norris also seemed to have new tires.
With nine minutes until the end Dutchman Max Verstappen had everything and took the command, 0s161 in front of Norris. Norris’ time was coming, since he had come out a little later.
With 0s048 in front of Verstappen, Norris returned to the table front.
Pisters scored 1m27s690, the time he was beaten. Sainz was second, six tenths of Pisters and Antonelli followed right.
Russell then passed both, going up to the second, but it was three tenths of Pasters’ time.
Four minutes until the end, Albon chose to leave soon. Although he lost a little with the evolution of the track, he would be more likely to avoid yellow flags.
Hamilton was tenth – Will he survive? Albon was eliminated at the 11th, Alonso could not only improve at the 13th. Hadjar and Bearman were not around and Hamilton survived.
Deleted in Q2 ❌
11th – Alex Albon
12th – Liam Lawson
13th – Fernando Alonso
14th – Isack Hadjar
15th – Olie Bearman
Q3
Eleven minutes until the end and Postri was anxious to start and guide the exit of the pits. Russell and Antonelli came just behind him.
Red flag
Norris collided with the wall and stopped on the track, forcing the direction of the race to trigger the red flag. Pisters managed to complete his return, but Russell, who was right behind, had to stop time.
Despite the fear, Norris went well, without physical consequences, but the weather was tense in McLaren’s pits.
The replay showed the exact moment of the error: a little more speed made Norris climbed too much in the curbs, which destabilized the back of the car and released it straight against the opposite wall.
On the radio, after confirming that he was physically, the British vented: “idiot”.
When the session resumed after the red flag caused by Norris, the dispute on the position of the pole followed electrifying up to the final moments.
Max Verstappen won the pole for Red Bull with a spectacular return, overcoming Oscar Pisters only for 0s010. McLaren showed a very strong pace during the weekend, but the three -stroke world champion cannot be discarded – and brought RB21 to the limit to ensure another pole of the season.
Pisters even led a strong tour, especially in the first sector, although he lost performance in the second. However, he took the provisional pole in front of Russell, who also had a remarkable performance, especially in the first sector, but was unable to maintain the rhythm until the end of the return.
Leclerc arrived fourth, right behind Russell. Andrea Kimi Antonelli surprised and took an impressive fifth place in front of Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton.
Yuki Tsunoda was the eighth, followed by Pierre Gasly. Lando Norris, who did not record time after the accident, completed the top 10.
On the radio, when he went through the line, Verstappen celebrated the result: “This was good. The car replied well – let’s go on.”
See how the starting grid was for the Saudi Arabia GP!
The race takes place this Sunday, at 14h (Brasilia Time), and the winner can dictate the rhythm of the Formula 1 World Championship in 2025.
Source: Terra
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