This Saturday evening on the Jeddah circuit, Max Verstappen pocketed pole position after a masterful tour with ten thousandths in advance on Oscar Piastri (McLaren). For a long time, George Russell (Mercedes) must be satisfied with third place while Lando Norris (McLaren) caught the wall at the start of Q3…
Max Verstappen offered his 42nd pole position this Saturday evening in Saudi Arabia. And what a tour made by the Red Bull driver! Like what he had already done in Suzuka in Japan, the title quadruple world champion made a final loop of madness to win a new start this Sunday on the Jeddah circuit. While we thought the McLaren unbeatable on this route, the n ° 1 showed how a genius pilot, capable of going for time where nobody dares to do it.
Winner of the Japan Grand Prix ago, Max Verstappen has a good chance of offering a second success in five rounds of this world championship. But to do so, you will also have to look in your mirrors since Oscar Piastri should not be far away. With a super comfortable single -seater in Jeddah, the Australian has long maintained the illusion of a new pole position before the Dutchman heads him on the post. For ten thousandths, the McLaren driver must be satisfied with second place. George Russell (Mercedes) also had his say at the start of Q3 but his time was beaten twice and it will ultimately be the second line for him in the company of a Charles Leclerc further in terms of time and shot in a press conference.
Norris in the wall, Gasly in the spot
What about Lando Norris, the current leader in the general classification? The Briton went to the fault at the start of Q3. At the start of the round, the McLaren driver missed his rope point and then resumed the gas too early, which caused his single -seater. After trying to correct it several times, he could not prevent the collision of his avant-left with the wall, causing a brief red flag. This hiccup is a new stone in the garden of Lando Norris, especially since his stable seemed in full possession of his means here in Saudi Arabia. For the time being, he should go into tenth position, just behind Pierre Gasly (Alpine).
The latter entrusted his satisfaction at having qualified in Q3. Just under a second in Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) took the seventh time, while Hadjar was beaten by his teammate (14th against 12th). Esteban Ocon (Haas) could not do better than a 19th place.
