Sunday at 8:30 p.m. local (6:30 p.m. local), the leader of the drivers' classification, injured in qualifying, will start in third position, also behind the second Mercedes of the Finnish Valtteri Bottas.

Things are therefore off to a bad start for Verstappen in a crucial weekend.

And it could be worse if its gearbox was damaged, replacing it costing five grid places.

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

On paper, the 24-year-old driver 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.

But that would mean scoring 18 points more than Hamilton, at a minimum, and therefore finishing first or second in the GP hoping that his 36-year-old rival stumbles.

On the contrary, a win with a best lap point would allow the Briton from Mercedes to level the standings if Verstappen finishes second, or take the lead if the Red Bull driver does less well.

"More difficult but not impossible"

"Disappointed", the Dutchman can be even more so as he was in the race for a masterful pole until he hit a safety barrier at the very end of his last lap on the Jeddah street circuit .

"Considering our performance, we can be grateful for what we managed to do," confirms Hamilton.

"We were quick on Friday but, for some reason, in free practice 3 and in qualifying, we lacked pace and we were having trouble with our tires. So from there to achieving this double ..."

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

Now is not the right time to make a mistake, but his rival does not surrender.

Unlike Qatar two weeks ago, "we look like we can fight," said Verstappen.

"I would have preferred to start first. By starting third, it will be more difficult but not impossible (...) The objective remains to win."

Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull), before hitting the wall during qualifying for the first Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, December 4, 2021 at the Jeddah circuit ANDREJ ISAKOVIC AFP

For Hamilton, ditto.

"We're here to win, that's what we're preparing for. They (Red Bull) are going to be quick so we'll have to be smart and work as a team," he warns.

"Plus it's a night race on a new track so there are a lot of unknowns."

Mass has not yet been said on a demanding route and on which the teams lack the data to build their strategies.

Between the high speed, close walls and a hot and humid air which weighs on the bodies, we are not immune to a few accidents, as the two Formula 2 races showed on Friday, with no less than five exits from the safety car.

Human rights

Behind the leading trio, we will find on the grid Sunday the Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and the Mexican Sergio Pérez (Red Bull-Honda).

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) complete the Top 10 of the qualifications.

The second Ferrari of the Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr, made "uncontrollable" by a small shock against the barriers, only finished 15th.

Note also the 17th and 18th positions only for the Aston Martins of the German Sebastian Vettel and the Canadian Lance Stroll.

By hosting F1, like more and more major sporting and cultural events, Saudi Arabia continues its campaign to improve its international image and diversify its oil economy.

His detractors accuse him of "sportwashing", that is to say of using these meetings to make people forget his breaches of human rights.

Hamilton and Vettel, however, take the opportunity to express their support for the LGBT + community, the first by wearing a rainbow on his helmet, the second by doing the same on his sports shoes.

© 2021 AFP