Verstappen Claims Another Pole Ahead of Ferrari’s LeClerc and Red Bull Teammate Perez.
Max Verstappen grabbed his second 2024 pole position in a row at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying on Friday in Jeddah.
Verstappen topped the timesheets in all three sessions to boost his FIA Formula One World Championship title defence following his opening Bahrain Grand Prix victory last weekend.
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.
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.
