Red Bull’s Max Verstappen made it two pole positions from two in 2024 with a commanding performance in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, as rookie Oliver Bearman impressed on his debut as a stand-in for Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, according to the official website of the Formula 1.
Championship leader Verstappen has looked in complete control in Jeddah, the Dutchman looking at one with his RB20 as he popped in two laps that were good enough for pole in qualifying – his best – a 1m 27.472s – was 0.3s clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
The second Ferrari of Bearman earned plenty of plaudits, the 18-year-old looking at home from his first lap in final practice and, while he missed out on Q3 by just 0.036s, 11th is nonetheless a very strong result considering he only got the call to drive a few hours before he hit the track.
Sergio Perez, winner last year in Saudi Arabia, was third, the Mexican failing to improve on his second timed lap with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso cleverly sneaking a tow from Lewis Hamilton on his final run to leave him with a tenth of pole heading into the final sector before crossing the line fourth.
Oscar Piastri outqualified McLaren team mate Lando Norris for the second successive year in Saudi Arabia, with the papaya cars locking out the third row, while both Mercedes' failed to improve on their second runs and could only manage seventh and eighth respectively.
Yuki Tsunoda responded well to a frustrating end to the Bahrain Grand Prix with a superb performance through qualifying, the Japanese driver outperforming RB team mate Daniel Ricciardo to take ninth with Lance Stroll closing out the top-10.
