(Jeddah) Britain’s Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) took pole position in the inaugural Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix ahead of Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas and championship rival Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) on Saturday.
Verstappen, who leads the drivers’ standings, was racing for the penultimate pole of the season, until he hit a safety barrier at the very end of his last lap on the Jeddah street circuit .
The Dutchman can win his first title in the premier category of motorsport, at the end of this 21e event out of 22, if it increases its lead in the championship from 8 to 26 lengths at least.
This means scoring 18 points more than Hamilton, at a minimum. For that, the 24-year-old pilot would have to finish 1er or 2e Sunday (which, barring an incident, is within his reach) and that his 36-year-old rival stumbles (which is less likely).
On the contrary, a victory with the fastest lap would allow the Briton from Mercedes to equalize in the standings if Verstappen were 2e or to take the lead if the Red Bull driver did less well.
Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull-Honda) complete the Top 5 of qualifying.
The French Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri), the Briton Lando Norris (McLaren), the Japanese Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), the French Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and the Italian Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo) close the Top 10.
Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr’s second Ferrari, made “inconducible” by a small shock of its rear spoiler against the safety barriers, only placed 15e.
Note also the 17e and 18e positions only for the Aston Martins of the German Sebastian Vettel and the Canadian Lance Stroll, eliminated in the 1D part of the qualifications (Q1).
The first Saudi Arabian GP will start Sunday night at 12:30 p.m. ET.