Verstappen suffers mechanical issue in qualifying, starting 15th-Qualifying Results
Perez secured a stunning pole for the Saudi Arabian GP, with Verstappen starting from 15th due to a mechanical issue. Leclerc impressed in qualifying but will start 12th with a penalty, while Alonso will start on the front row.
Sergio Perez secured an incredible pole position for the second year running in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, after a thrilling qualifying session in Jeddah that saw Max Verstappen suffer a mechanical issue in Q2, leaving him to start down in 15th place.
It was a nail-biting session, with plenty of drama and some unexpected results. Charles Leclerc had a brilliant final lap, securing second place on the grid, but a 10-place grid penalty means he will drop to 12th, handing Fernando Alonso a front-row slot alongside Perez come Sunday.
The make-up of the front row looked to be a foregone conclusion before the qualifying session had even started, given the pace Red Bull showed in FP3.
Verstappen was a second faster than the third-fastest car in final practice, and it seemed likely that he would secure pole position with ease.
Lando Norris clipped the inside wall with his left-front tyre at Turn 27 hairpin, forcing him to abort his first flying lap.
Fernando Alonso suffered a spins, highlighting the tight limits of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Logan Sargeant also found himself facing backwards on the track, but was able to turn himself around and get going again.
The damage to Norris’ McLaren forced an early exit from Q1 and from qualifying altogether, as a P19 grid slot awaits Norris alongside Sargeant.
Yuki Tsunoda, Alex Albon and De Vries were the others to fall in Q1 – with just 0.010s separating Tsunoda from Valtteri Bottas and a place in Q2.
Qualifying continued with a queue forming at the end of the pit lane, but Verstappen suffered a “big moment” with a snap of oversteer at Turn 14, before slowing with what sounded like a transmission issue.
While he was able to crawl back to the pit lane, he was out early, leaving qualifying much more open.
Perez was the standout performer, securing an early pole position that no one could match, despite some valiant efforts from his rivals.
Leclerc got to within two tenths of him at the last, while George Russell and Carlos Sainz make up the second row, ahead of Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon.
It promises to be an exciting race, with the absence of Verstappen adding an unexpected element of unpredictability.
As Perez said after qualifying, “We’ve got a good position to start tomorrow, but we need to execute a good race.”
2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Qualifying Results
*Charles Leclerc has a 10-place grid penalty
Comments ()