Max Verstappen cracks, Sergio Perez on pole

Saudi Arabia, qualifications

Sergio Perez set the fastest time in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian GP 2023.

The Mexican of Red Bull pulled a tenth and a half off an excellent Charles Leclerc, who will have to serve, however, as known, a penalty of ten positions due to the replacement of the centralin.

On the front row will therefore start Fernando Alonso in his Aston Martin, while on the second row will be George Russell in the Mercedes and Carlos Sainz in the other Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton did not go beyond seventh place, but worse was Max Verstappen.

The world champion, a big favorite, did not even make it to Q2, betrayed by a broken driveshaft.

This is the starting grid for Sunday:

1. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

2. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

3. George Russell (Mercedes)

4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)

5. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

6. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

7. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

8. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

10. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)

11. Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo)

12. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), penalized ten positions.

13. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

14. Valtteri Bottas (Red Bull)

15. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

16. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri)

17. Alexander Albon (Williams)

18. Nyck de Vries (AlphaTauri)

19. Lando Norris (McLaren)

20. Logan Sargeant (Williams)