Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Qualifying: Hamilton secures a stratospheric pole position, Verstappen crashes into the wall!

A high-risk Q1.

This has been repeated extensively since the start of the weekend: the track is very fast and offers no escape routes. We are in a Monaco configuration, but with a slightly lower average speed than Monza.

Therefore, no mistakes should be made, and special attention should be paid to not block the track during the setup and end-of-timing turns.

This is how leaders take off among the first.

Moreover, Lewis Hamilton misses the first turn of his first timed lap. He has to start his session on a second lap and takes the lead.

As the session progresses, the track gains grip and the ranking evolves at the end of each lap of each driver. It is quickly noticed that the McLarens have regained performance compared to Ferrari. And above all, the time gaps are very close.

And what was bound to happen, happened, at the end of his last lap, Max Verstappen was blocked by a group of stationary drivers as we have seen too often this year.

Latifi, Vettel, Stroll, Schumacher, Mazepin are the eliminated drivers in this first part of qualifying, while Perez, Bottas, Ricciardo, Sainz, and Verstappen make up the top five.

Hamilton is only ninth while Valtteri Bottas is forced to abandon his last attempt due to an engine problem. The concern is rather on Mercedes’ side.

Carlos Sainz makes a mistake in Q2.

They are now only fifteen to take off for this second part of qualifications, and do so with yellow tires. This is the intermediate compound in order to start Sunday’s race with slightly more durable tires.

It is Carlos Sainz who “cracks” first. Even though Verstappen got a scare a few seconds earlier, it is indeed the Spaniard who, by losing his car, could have caused the red flag to come out.

In a long half spin, he damages the rear of his rear wing. If he wrecks his first attempt, he can rely on a second chance after a pit stop.

Unfortunately, the Ferrari mechanics did not have time to change this element and during his attempt Carlos Sainz almost crashed his car into the wall once again. He will therefore start 15th.

At the top of the timesheet, the two Red Bulls are leading, ahead of the two Mercedes. The four drivers are grouped within a good tenth of a second.

Ricciardo, Räikkönen, Alonso, Russell, and Sainz are the ones eliminated from this second session.

The nice surprise comes from the two AlphaTauri cars, which are right behind the leading quartet.

Two aliens host Q3.

The pressure is mounting on both sides and this Q3 offers the long-awaited show.

Mercedes, slightly struggling, is taking no risks and sends both its drivers out on track at the beginning of the session.

The Red Bulls adopt an opposite strategy and bide their time. Hamilton sets off for his first flying lap, while his rival is still in the pit.

Moreover, the English driver proves that he is really pushing his car to the limit. The rear of the single-seater has been quite lively since the start of the qualifications, and during this first lap, it betrays the confidence of its driver. Hamilton skillfully regains control of his Mercedes, but on the next lap, car number 44 lets go a little more at the beginning of the same corner. This doesn’t prevent him from overtaking his teammate, but not the two Red Bulls.

For his final timed lap, Lewis Hamilton treats us to a sumptuous lap, exceptional trajectories, and controlled supersonic speed, allowing him to grab the provisional pole position.

Max Verstappen is warned, he must produce an exceptional lap to reclaim his title. And that’s what he achieves. Like Hamilton, his control and speed are also impressive… Until the last corner!

The first two sectors are lit up in purple, the Dutchman knows it and wants even more. Unfortunately, he pushes his final braking too far, misses the apex and the understeer sends him into the wall. Bringing to a halt his surge towards a new pole position.

To drive the point home, Bottas improves and takes hold of second place.

Beyond this third time for Verstappen, concern remains about the state of his gearbox.

Special mention for our two French drivers who enter the top 10 with Gasly in 6th place and Ocon in 9th place.

Qualification ranking