Two-time reigning world champion Max Verstappen, who dominated all three free practice sessions and the first part of qualifying (Q1), was surprisingly eliminated in Q2 and will start from 15th position. He suddenly lost his power and declared in English in his radio "engine problem".
The Dutchman will therefore have a lot to do on Sunday on the street circuit of Jeddah to hope to achieve the double in the Gulf after his success in Bahrain at the opening of the season two weeks ago.
Monegasque Charles Leclerc, who set the second fastest time in Q3 at 155/1000th from Pérez, will start only in 12th position on Sunday. He had indeed received ten penalty places on the starting grid after the replacement of an electronic component following the inaugural Grand Prix during which he was forced to retire.
The second row will be occupied by Britain's George Russell (Mercedes) and Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), who limited the damage for the Scuderia. They will be followed by Canadian Lance Stroll, who has confirmed the good dispositions of Aston Martin since the beginning of the season, and Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine).
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) will start only in seventh position, just ahead of Australian novice Oscar Piastri (McLaren) who clinched a nice eighth place for the second F1 Grand Prix of his career.
The Top 10 is completed by Alpine's other Frenchman, Pierre Gasly, and Germany's Nico Hulkenberg (Haas).
© 2023 AFP