GOOD NEWS: Max Verstappen Wins Pole for F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Associated Press…see more
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Max Verstappen will start from pole position at Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, lining up alongside McLaren’s Oscar Piastri as both drivers aim to overtake Lando Norris in the Formula 1 championship standings.
The four-time world champion delivered a stunning qualifying performance on Saturday, securing pole for the second time in three races. Meanwhile, Norris endured a tough session, crashing into the wall and managing only 10th place on the grid for McLaren.
Verstappen is looking to replicate his dominant display in Japan two races ago, where he converted pole into victory despite heavy pressure from the McLarens. However, he remains cautious about his chances in Jeddah, admitting doubts about whether his Red Bull has the long-run pace to contend in the hotter Saudi conditions.
It marks a sharp turnaround from last weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, where Verstappen struggled with car performance and was never in contention for the win.
Mercedes’ George Russell, who will start third on the grid, believes the outcome could hinge on the run to the first corner. “If Oscar gets ahead early, he could pull away like he did in Bahrain,” Russell said, referring to Piastri’s dominant win. “But if he’s held up behind Max, we might see a much tighter battle throughout.”
As for Norris, the current championship leader, he remains focused on damage control. “A top-five finish would be a good result,” he said, acknowledging the importance of salvaging points to protect his lead in the standings.
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