The Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying session delivered high drama as reigning world champion Max Verstappen clinched pole position with a breathtaking last-minute flying lap.
The Red Bull driver narrowly beat McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by just 0.01 seconds in a nail-biting finale.
McLaren’s weekend took a turn when team leader Lando Norris, who was fastest in final practice, crashed into the barriers at Turn 4, bringing out the red flags and settling for P10 on the grid. Despite the setback, team principal Zak Brown remains optimistic that Norris can recover valuable positions on race day.
Mercedes and Ferrari secured key positions on the second row, with George Russell starting third and Charles Leclerc fourth. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton, struggling with pace all weekend, managed to qualify seventh for Ferrari, while rookie Kimi Antonelli impressed with a P5 finish.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner acknowledged McLaren’s strong pace, predicting an intense battle at the front. “The McLaren is incredibly fast in race trim, so it’s going to be a tough fight,” he stated.
With safety cars playing a decisive role in previous races at Jeddah’s Corniche Circuit, strategy and tire management will be crucial as teams prepare for Sunday’s high-stakes contest.
