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Max Verstappen made a shock Q2 exit after suffering a driveshaft failure at Red Bull; Watch the Saudi Arabian GP live on Sunday at 3.30pm on Sky Sports F1
By Sam Johnston in Jeddah
Last updated: 18/03/23 18:31
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Max Verstappen made a shock exit from qualifying with a driveshaft failure
Max Verstappen made a shock exit from qualifying with a driveshaft failure
Sergio Perez claimed pole position at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen pulled off a shock early exit from Qualifying following a mechanical failure.
Verstappen had been hot favorite to take pole after comfortably topping all three practice sessions at Formula 1’s fastest road circuit, but a driveshaft failure saw him return to the Red Bull garage midway through Q2 and immediately exit the car, leaving him to start. Race Sunday 15th.
The world champion’s exit made it a closer-than-anticipated contest to take the top spot, but Perez kept his composure to take pole position in Jeddah for the second season in a row.
Charles Leclerc is second for Ferrari, but faces a 10th grid penalty, meaning Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso will join Perez on the front row.
George Russell provided a boost for Mercedes by taking fourth ahead of the other Ferrari of Carlos Sainz, but Lewis Hamilton could only manage eighth as he was unable to overtake his teammate.
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Red Bull’s Sergio Perez takes pole at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Lance Stroll backed up Alonso’s strong showing by taking sixth for Aston Martin, while Alpine produced a better performance to finish seventh with Esteban Ocon and team-mate Pierre Gasly 10th.
McLaren’s Lando Norris crashed out of Q1 after hitting the wall on the flying lap, but new team-mate Oscar Piastri took an impressive ninth as he showed signs of the superstar potential many in the paddock believed to be.
More to follow…
Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying Results
1) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
2) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari*
3) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
4) George Russell, Mercedes
5) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
6) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
7) Esteban Ocon, Alpine
8) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
9) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
10) Pierre Gasly, Alpine
Formula 1 street racing is back! Watch the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Sunday’s race starts at 5pm, kick off at 3.30pm. Get Sky Sports
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