Saudi GP Qualifying: Mega Verstappen stuns McLaren, Norris crashes
F1 NewsSaturday, 19 April 2025 at 20:22
Max Verstappen will start Round 5 of the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position, topping a riveting battle for the P1 start spot on the grid for Sunday's race that saw him beat both McLarens, with Lando Norris crashing heavily on the night.
All through Qualifying, Norris, Piastri and Verstappen jostled for the 'podium' end of the grid, with pole position the prize for topping the time sheets. But the Englishman took himself out of the equation on his first Q3 run, hitting the wall hard and crunching his McLaren’s left front suspension, the wheel dangling awkwardly by a tether.
Norris blinked first tonight, inevitably chasing Piastri as the pair constantly raise the bar. It was a mistake by the World Championship leader at a crucial moment in the power struggle within the McLaren driver pecking order. Given half a chance, Verstappen will seize it. What we thought would be a Papaya front-row lockout evaporated.
After the red flag stoppage to recover Norris’s broken McLaren, it was now a two-way battle: Piastri versus Verstappen? Make it three-way, as George Russell gatecrashed the party in his Mercedes. Who would blink next? Before his teammate binned it, Piastri was the only one to set a time (1:27.550) with around eight minutes left on the clock.
Verstappen attacked immediately, topping that effort by 0.001s (!!!), which required a response from Piastri. He did so by popping to the top of the time screens with his final effort. But Max is Max. Suzuka Verstappen was back, and he picked pole out of McLaren pockets with a stunning 1:27.294.
Verstappen and Piastri are Cream of the F1 crop
A hundredth of a second separated the two drivers who are becoming the cream of the 2025 crop, and they will start the Saudi Grand Prix on the front row. The stage is set for a riveting contest between the pair on Sunday.
After claiming his 42nd F1 pole position start, Verstappen said in parc ferme: "Very happy. I definitely didn't expect to be on pole here after FP3, and looking at how the whole weekend was. It's really satisfying. To be first here in qualifying is, of course, the best position for tomorrow, even though I think in the race it will be difficult to keep them behind. But we will give it a good go. We will do our best."
Gracious in defeat, Piastri summed up his Qualy: "To be honest, I was pretty happy with it (my lap). There wasn’t too much more left in that lap, so happy with the job I did. Max has done a good job. It’s another high-speed circuit for them where they seem to be having a little bit more success. But he’s done a good job again, obviously. It’s still all to fight for."
With a performance that belied the firepower Mercedes had shown in free practice, Russell surprised all - himself included. He starts P3 and will fancy his chances, as a tenth-of-a-second gap is small enough to inspire the Englishman to aim greater things on Sunday. He starts alongside Charles Leclerc, whose #16 Ferrari lines up P4, making it four different Constructors on the top two rows.
Russell: Max did an amazing job again
"To be honest, before the session, I would have taken a P3 but when I just saw how close it was, I was really happy with the lap but you always think there might have been a little bit more in there. But being realistically, we know this was the maximum today. On these high-speed circuits, we probably don't quite have the pace of the McLarens and Max did an amazing job again, so congratulations to him," added Russell.
His Mercedes teammate, teenager Kimi Antonelli - the best rookie in Qualifying - will line up in P5 after another impressive session, albeit four tenths down on more experienced Russell, the Italian embedding in F1 with every outing.
Carlos Sainz seems to have got a handle on the Williams that flummoxed him until this weekend in Jeddah. The Spaniard was P6, while teammate Alex Albon will line up P11.
In the other Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton was not at ease throughout the session, scraping into Q3, he dug deep to put it in P7, but the half-second gap to his teammate in the other Red car will be a concern for the seven-time F1 World Champion and his team.
Tsunoda taming the 'cursed' Red Bull
Red Bull newcomer Yuki Tsunoda seems to be taming the 'cursed' number two RB21 car. P8 is a decent result in a session where the top ten were separated by just over a second, which was about the gap between the Japanese driver and his Dutch teammate in pole position.
P9 went to Pierre Gasly, doing wonders in an Alpine that seems to have a sweet spot that the Frenchman can exploit, as he did this evening in Jeddah Qualifying. Rookie teammate Jack Doohan failed to make it out of Q1, he will line up in P17 for the race.
With no time on the board, Norris was P10 in the session that ended while he was being checked at the Jeddah Circuit medical centre, before being released to face the music and a reality check that his 2025 F1 title rivals are five rows up ahead of him at a venue, unforgiving and a tight manic midfield to get through.
While Norris leads the standings after four rounds, he is unlikely to do so after the Grand Prix on Sunday night Jeddah time. It will most likely be Max or Oscar...
Horner: I did not believe that was possible
On the unsharp end of the grid, Liam Lawson outqualified his Racing Bulls teammate Isack Hadjar, the pair were P12 and P16. The rookies split by the oldest driver on the grid, Fernando Alonso, who wrenched the Aston Martin to P13, while teammate Lance Stroll never made it out of Q1, ending the session P16.
Oliver Bearman was quicker than Haas teammate Esteban Ocon, while Nico Hulkenberg was best of the Sauber drivers in P18. Gabriele Bortoleto was last. Two teams who are likely to be anchored to the wrong end of the timesheets not only on Sunday, but for the rest of the year too.
Final word to Red Bull team boss on Verstappen's mega lap: "Honestly, I did not believe that was possible going into that session. But it just shows, you never give up. We’ve got a great team, you keep fighting. You keep chasing the performance and then Max, he’ll go and deliver you that last ounce of performance."
Saudi GP Qualifying Best Lap Times
Saudi GP Qualifying As It Unfolded
Q1: Verstappen reminds McLaren that he is still around
18 minutes to go: Saudi GP Qualifying under way
The green light signals the start of Q1. A long queue forms at pit exit as drivers head out to acclimatise to Jeddah's evening conditions.
The green light signals the start of Q1. A long queue forms at pit exit as drivers head out to acclimatise to Jeddah's evening conditions.
16 minutes to go: Norris among the first on track
Lando Norris leads the McLaren charge early. Both Ferrari drivers also head out, while Red Bull and Mercedes remain in the garage.
Lando Norris leads the McLaren charge early. Both Ferrari drivers also head out, while Red Bull and Mercedes remain in the garage.
14 minutes to go: Albon sets early pace
Alex Albon clocks a 1:28.866, going three tenths quicker than team-mate Carlos Sainz.
Alex Albon clocks a 1:28.866, going three tenths quicker than team-mate Carlos Sainz.
13 minutes to go: Norris straight to the top
Lando Norris sets the benchmark with a 1:29.026. Oscar Piastri prepares for his first run.
Lando Norris sets the benchmark with a 1:29.026. Oscar Piastri prepares for his first run.
12 minutes to go: Hamilton lacking pace on first run
Lewis Hamilton is over three tenths slower than Leclerc and nearly a full second off Norris, leaving him vulnerable.
Lewis Hamilton is over three tenths slower than Leclerc and nearly a full second off Norris, leaving him vulnerable.
11 minutes to go: Verstappen just behind Norris
Max Verstappen slots into second, only 0.122s adrift of Norris after a clean opening lap.
Max Verstappen slots into second, only 0.122s adrift of Norris after a clean opening lap.
10 minutes to go: Piastri goes fastest
Oscar Piastri leads Norris by 0.007s. Russell is third, 0.263s back. Tsunoda impresses in fifth ahead of Leclerc.
Oscar Piastri leads Norris by 0.007s. Russell is third, 0.263s back. Tsunoda impresses in fifth ahead of Leclerc.
7 minutes to go: Hamilton falls into the drop zone
Hamilton drops to 18th after others improve. He’s still out on track and looks set to better his time.
Hamilton drops to 18th after others improve. He’s still out on track and looks set to better his time.
7 minutes to go: Norris reclaims top spot
Lando Norris finds more time on used softs, moving two tenths clear of Piastri at the top.
Lando Norris finds more time on used softs, moving two tenths clear of Piastri at the top.
5 minutes to go: Hamilton up to 10th
Hamilton improves to P10 but is only 0.2s above the cut line. He heads back to the pits for a fresh set of softs.
Hamilton improves to P10 but is only 0.2s above the cut line. He heads back to the pits for a fresh set of softs.
4 minutes to go: Doohan, Lawson, Gasly at risk
With four minutes left, Doohan, Lawson, Gasly, Ocon and Bortoleto sit in the elimination zone.
With four minutes left, Doohan, Lawson, Gasly, Ocon and Bortoleto sit in the elimination zone.
3 minutes to go: Albon climbs to fourth
Albon improves on a fresh set of softs, jumping to P4 and likely securing Q2. Williams run early to avoid yellow flags.
Albon improves on a fresh set of softs, jumping to P4 and likely securing Q2. Williams run early to avoid yellow flags.
1 minute to go: Final laps begin
Hamilton is P13 as final laps commence. Doohan moves into the safe zone, pushing Lawson out. Pressure builds for the final sector.
Hamilton is P13 as final laps commence. Doohan moves into the safe zone, pushing Lawson out. Pressure builds for the final sector.
Chequered flag: Hamilton scrapes through
Lewis Hamilton narrowly escapes elimination by improving to ninth.
OUT in Q1: P16. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin); P17. Jack Doohan (Alpine); P18. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber); P19. Esteban Ocon (Haas) & P20. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber).
Lewis Hamilton narrowly escapes elimination by improving to ninth.
OUT in Q1: P16. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin); P17. Jack Doohan (Alpine); P18. Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber); P19. Esteban Ocon (Haas) & P20. Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber).
0 minutes to go: Bortoleto half-spins
Gabriel Bortoleto’s final flying lap ends in a half-spin at Turn 1, cementing his place in P20.
Gabriel Bortoleto’s final flying lap ends in a half-spin at Turn 1, cementing his place in P20.
Q2: Norris chased closely by Verstappen and Norris
15 minutes to go: Qualifying Q2 under way
The second part of qualifying begins. Albon and Bearman are first out, with the rest of the field joining shortly after.
The second part of qualifying begins. Albon and Bearman are first out, with the rest of the field joining shortly after.
11 minutes to go: Albon sets first Q2 time
Alex Albon posts a 1:28.581 on used softs, setting the opening benchmark of the session.
Alex Albon posts a 1:28.581 on used softs, setting the opening benchmark of the session.
10 minutes to go: Verstappen leads early battle
Max Verstappen clocks a 1:27.5 on new softs, beating Oscar Piastri’s time to take P1.
Max Verstappen clocks a 1:27.5 on new softs, beating Oscar Piastri’s time to take P1.
8 minutes to go: Ferrari off the pace
Charles Leclerc moves to P5 and Lewis Hamilton P7, both over half a second adrift of Verstappen and on used tyres.
Charles Leclerc moves to P5 and Lewis Hamilton P7, both over half a second adrift of Verstappen and on used tyres.
7 minutes to go: Norris back on top
Lando Norris delivers a 1:27.4 to reclaim P1 from Verstappen by 0.048s. Red Bull and McLaren evenly matched.
Lando Norris delivers a 1:27.4 to reclaim P1 from Verstappen by 0.048s. Red Bull and McLaren evenly matched.
5 minutes to go: Verstappen requests car check
Red Bull check the plank under Verstappen’s car after a slide through Turns 4 and 5. Liam Lawson aborts his flying lap and pits. He will rely on a final attempt to advance.
Red Bull check the plank under Verstappen’s car after a slide through Turns 4 and 5. Liam Lawson aborts his flying lap and pits. He will rely on a final attempt to advance.
4 minutes to go: Albon improves to P6
Albon goes early on fresh tyres and jumps to sixth, though only 0.3s above the cut-off.
Albon goes early on fresh tyres and jumps to sixth, though only 0.3s above the cut-off.
1 minute to go: Antonelli and Sainz climb
Kimi Antonelli jumps to P5 and Carlos Sainz to P6. Bearman fails to improve and is out.
Kimi Antonelli jumps to P5 and Carlos Sainz to P6. Bearman fails to improve and is out.
Chequered flag: Tsunoda and Hamilton just through
Yuki Tsunoda secures P7 with a strong final lap under pressure.
Lewis Hamilton scrapes into Q3 in P10 by 0.007s, knocking out Albon.
Yuki Tsunoda secures P7 with a strong final lap under pressure.
Lewis Hamilton scrapes into Q3 in P10 by 0.007s, knocking out Albon.
Eliminated in Q2:
P11. Alex Albon (Williams); P12. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls); P13. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin); P14. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) & P15. Oliver Bearman (Haas).
P11. Alex Albon (Williams); P12. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls); P13. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin); P14. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) & P15. Oliver Bearman (Haas).
Q3: Norris prangs, Verstappen stuns
The final segment of qualifying is underway. McLaren appear favourites, but Verstappen and Russell are close contenders in a potential four-way fight for pole.
9 minutes to go: RED FLAG – Norris crashes
Lando Norris hits the wall exiting Turn 5 after a snap over the kerb. He reports he's okay but will start no higher than P10. Session is halted.
Lando Norris hits the wall exiting Turn 5 after a snap over the kerb. He reports he's okay but will start no higher than P10. Session is halted.
8 minutes to go: Q3 resumes
Track is cleared and qualifying restarts. Verstappen, Sainz, and Gasly are the first out, with Verstappen aiming to fit in two runs.
Track is cleared and qualifying restarts. Verstappen, Sainz, and Gasly are the first out, with Verstappen aiming to fit in two runs.
7 minutes to go: Verstappen starts first timed lap
Verstappen heads out on new softs. Sky confirm he has two fresh sets available, unlike his rivals.
Verstappen heads out on new softs. Sky confirm he has two fresh sets available, unlike his rivals.
5 minutes to go: Verstappen goes fastest
Max Verstappen sets a 1:27.472 to take provisional pole, just 0.001s ahead of Piastri.
Max Verstappen sets a 1:27.472 to take provisional pole, just 0.001s ahead of Piastri.
3 minutes to go: Piastri, Russell and Ferraris on track
The remaining top runners begin their final qualifying laps as the fight for pole intensifies.
The remaining top runners begin their final qualifying laps as the fight for pole intensifies.
1 minute to go: Russell goes fastest
George Russell snatches provisional pole with a brilliant lap, going a tenth clear of Verstappen.
George Russell snatches provisional pole with a brilliant lap, going a tenth clear of Verstappen.
0 minutes to go: Piastri takes provisional pole
Oscar Piastri responds with a 1:27.419, a tenth up on Russell after a superb final sector. Only Verstappen remains to finish.
Oscar Piastri responds with a 1:27.419, a tenth up on Russell after a superb final sector. Only Verstappen remains to finish.
Chequered flag: Verstappen snatches pole
Max Verstappen beats Piastri by just 0.011s to take pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
An intense Q3 ends with McLaren narrowly missing out.
Max Verstappen beats Piastri by just 0.011s to take pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
An intense Q3 ends with McLaren narrowly missing out.
Top 10 after Qualifying
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