Max Verstappen on pole position at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc second

Like the first Grand Prix of the season in Bahrain, the qualifying tests in Saudi Arabia, Friday March 8 in Jeddah, did not provide much suspense. Max Verstappen has everyone in agreement and will start in pole position on Saturday (6 p.m.), thanks to a time of 1’27″472, a new circuit record. He will be followed on the starting grid by Charles Leclerc (Ferrari ) and his teammate Sergio Pérez (Red Bull). The two Alpines, driven by the French Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, will start from 17th and 18th places on Saturday evening, confirming a very complicated start to the season.

Max Verstappen was untouchable. The Dutchman, three-time world champion, relegated Charles Leclerc to three tenths. The Monegasque said he encountered difficulties with his car at the end of the session: “I feel something strange with the new tires. It’s very difficult to drive.”does he have entrusts. Which did not prevent him from setting the second best time.

Lewis Hamilton, who came very close to elimination in Q2, will start from eighth place. The Briton complained of a lack of grip from his Mercedes. He will still start far ahead of the French from Alpine, both of whom exited in Q1. “We are still too far from Q2. (…) Everyone is trying to find solutions, we cannot provide them in such a short time. (…) We will try to give everything. We are very aware of the situation we are in. (…) Formula 1 takes a little time, we will have to be patient for a few more weeks“, has explained Pierre Gasly, 18th, just behind his teammate Esteban Ocon.