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 .
Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull), after taking 3rd place in qualifying for the first Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, December 4, 2021 at the Jeddah Giuseppe CACACE POOL / AFP circuit
The Dutchman can win his first title in the premier category of motorsport, at the end of this 21st event out of 22, if he increases his 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 driver would have to finish 1st or 2nd Sunday (which, barring an incident, is within his reach) and his 36-year-old rival would have to stumble (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 was 2nd or to take the lead if the Red Bull driver did less well.
The joy of Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), during the 3rd practice session of the first Formula 1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia, December 4, 2021 on the circuit of Jeddah Giuseppe CACACE AFP
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.
The second Ferrari of the Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr, made "uncontrollable" by a small impact of its rear wing against the safety barriers, only placed 15th.
Note also the 17th and 18th positions only for the Aston Martins of the German Sebastian Vettel and the Canadian Lance Stroll, eliminated in the 1st part of qualifying (Q1).
The start of the first Saudi Arabian GP will be given at night on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. local (6:30 p.m. French).
© 2021 AFP