JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Max Verstappen will start on pole for Sunday`s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. This comes after Lando Norris, who leads the championship, crashed during Q3 and will start in tenth place.
Verstappen, the current champion, secured his second pole position of the season. He was just 0.010 seconds faster than McLaren`s Oscar Piastri.
Verstappen expressed his happiness, saying he didn`t expect pole position after the practice sessions. He mentioned that changes made to the car improved its performance for qualifying.
He acknowledged that while pole is the best starting position, the race will be challenging to stay ahead.
Piastri stated he was satisfied with his performance, feeling he extracted the maximum from his lap. He recognized Red Bull`s strength on high-speed circuits.
Norris, who was fastest in Q2, crashed at Turns 4 and 5 in Q3. He lost control of his car and, without setting a time in Q3, will start from tenth.
Norris reacted with frustration over the team radio after the incident, confirming he was uninjured.
This crash is a setback for Norris in the championship, especially since his teammate Piastri recently narrowed the points gap.
George Russell in a Mercedes will start third, followed by Ferrari`s Charles Leclerc in fourth.
Russell admitted he was pleased with third, believing it was the best possible result for him. He recognized Mercedes` slight pace disadvantage on high-speed tracks compared to McLaren and Red Bull.
Mercedes` rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli will start fifth. Carlos Sainz, driving for Williams this year, achieved his best grid position in sixth.
Lewis Hamilton in the second Ferrari will start seventh, with Yuki Tsunoda in the second Red Bull in eighth.
Pierre Gasly for Alpine qualified ninth, ahead of Norris in tenth.
Alex Albon in the Williams missed out on the top ten by a tiny margin and will start 11th.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Qualifying Top 10
| Position | Driver | Team | Q3 Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:27.294 |
| 2 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:27.304 |
| 3 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:27.407 |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:27.670 |
| 5 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:27.866 |
| 6 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 1:28.164 |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:28.201 |
| 8 | Yuki Tsunoda | Red Bull | 1:28.204 |
| 9 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:28.367 |
| 10 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:27.481* |
| *Time set in Q2 before crash |
Liam Lawson in a Racing Bulls car will start 12th. Fernando Alonso in an Aston Martin is 13th, and Isack Hadjar, also for Racing Bulls, is 14th. Oliver Bearman for Haas starts 15th.
Lance Stroll in the second Aston Martin will start 16th, followed by Alpine`s Jack Doohan in 17th.
Nico Hulkenberg for Sauber is 18th, ahead of Haas driver Esteban Ocon and rookie Garbiel Bortoleto for Sauber, who spun in Q1.
