Max Verstappen, record pole in Jeddah ahead of Charles Leclerc

F1, Saudi Arabian GP: record pole for Max Verstappen

A super Max Verstappen won the pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Dutch driver set the best time with Red Bull, turning in 1'27"472, also setting a new track record. The three-time world champion was ahead of an excellent Charles Leclerc, still on the front row with Ferrari. In third place was the other Red Bull of Sergio Perez.

In fourth place was Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin, while Oscar Piastri’s McLaren closed the top 5. Immediately behind him is his teammate Lando Norris, sixth, while Mercedes is on the fourth row with George Russell in seventh and Lewis Hamilton in eighth.

Completing the top 10 are the Racing Bulls of Yuki Tsunoda, ninth, and the other Aston Martin of Lance Stroll, in 10th. Finally, just outside the top 10 is an applaudable Oliver Bearman, who closes his first F1 qualifying session in 11th place, just 36 thousandths behind Lewis Hamilton.

F1, Saudi Arabian GP, qualifying times:
1. Verstappen (Red Bull) 1'27"472
2. Leclerc (Ferrari) 1'27"791
3. Perez (Red Bull) 1'27"807
4. Alonso (Aston Martin) 1'27"846
5. Piastri (McLaren) 1'28"089
6. Norris (McLaren) 1'28"132
7. Russell (Mercedes) 1'28"316
8. Hamilton (Mercedes) 1'28"460
9. Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) 1'28"547
10. Stroll (Aston Martin) 1'28"572
11. Bearman (Ferrari) 1'28"642
12. Albon (Williams) 1'28"980
13. Magnussen (Haas) 1'29"020
14. Ricciardo (Racing Bulls) 1'29"025
15. Hulkenberg (Haas) s.t. 
16. Bottas (Sauber) 1'29"179
17. Ocon (Alpine) 1'29"475
18. Gasly (Alpine) 1'29"479
19. Sargeant (Williams) 1'29"526
20. Zhou (Sauber) s.t.