Max Verstappen falls behind in qualifying due to car issues
Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, faced a tough challenge in the qualifying round of the second race of the Formula 1 season in Saudi Arabia. The Dutchman was forced to park his Red Bull car in the second part of the qualification due to drive shaft problems, finishing in 15th place for the Grand Prix. Verstappen expressed his frustration with the situation, stating that this was the first time it had happened despite the car working well throughout the weekend.
Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez secures pole position
While Verstappen encountered difficulties, his teammate Sergio Perez secured pole position for the race with a time of 1:28.265 minutes. Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin qualified second, although Charles Leclerc, who had qualified for second place, was given a ten-place penalty for swapping the control electronics. This penalty allowed Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg to move up a spot and start the race in tenth place.
Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and George Russell qualify for Q3
Mercedes’ drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, had no trouble qualifying for Q3, with both drivers easily making it to the final round. Russell came out on top in the team-internal duel, starting the race from third place, while Hamilton will start from seventh place.
The final starting grid for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix
Here is the final starting grid for the race:
1. Sergio Pérez (RED BULL) 1:28.265 mins
2. Fernando Alonso (ASTON MARTIN) 1:28.730
3. George Russell (MERCEDES) 1:28.857
4. Carlos Sainz Jr. (FERRARI) 1:28.931
5. Lance Stroll (ASTON MARTIN) 1:28.945
6. Esteban Ocon (ALPINE) 1:29.078
7. Lewis Hamilton (MERCEDES) 1:29.223
8. Oscar Piastri (MCLAREN) 1:29.243
9. Pierre Gasly (ALPINE) 1:29.357
10. Nico Hulkenberg (HAAS) 1:29.451
11. Zhou Guanyu (ALFA ROMEO) 1:29.461
12. Kevin Magnussen (HAAS) 1:29.634
13. Valtteri Bottas (ALFA ROMEO) 1:29.668
14. Max Verstappen (RED BULL) 1:49.953
15. Yuki Tsunoda (ALPHA TAURI) 1:29.939
16. Alexander Albon (WILLIAMS) 1:29.994
17. Nyck de Vries (ALPHA TAURI) 1:30.244
18. Lando Norris (MCLAREN) 1:30.447
19. Logan Sargeant (WILLIAMS) 2:08.510
Despite facing challenges, it will be interesting to see how Verstappen performs in the race and if he can come back from his 15th place start. The fight for the championship is still in the early stages, and each race presents a new opportunity for drivers to differentiate themselves from the pack.
