2025 F1 Saudi Arabian GP - Qualifying as it happened

Martin Brundle has labelled Lewis Hamilton’s ongoing struggles with Ferrari’s 2025 F1 car as “uncomfortable listening and viewing”.

The seven-time world champion’s difficult start to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix continued in final practice as he finished down in 12th place and 0.408s slower than teammate Charles Leclerc, who was fourth.

Hamilton complained of having “just no grip” and sounded lost and bewildered by his pace deficit during conversations with his race engineer Riccardo Adami over team radio.

Speaking after FP3, Sky Sports F1’s Brundle suggested Hamilton’s set-up choices may be to blame for his lack of confidence and performance in the SF-25.

“There’s been weekends, entire grand prix events, where he wouldn’t have lost seven tenths to anybody let alone in one sector. No wonder he’s shocked by it,” Brundle said.

“I think he’s going the wrong way in the set-up of the car for him and he’s clearly got to find his way with that car and his engineer.

“But Lewis is not seven tenths off in the first sector of this track. The car is just not with him, he’s not confident in it, it’s just not working.

“It’s almost uncomfortable listening and viewing.”

We are just 30 minutes away from qualifying under the lights in Jeddah. 

McLaren look the outright favourite for pole position after absolutely dominating final practice this afternoon. 

While just 0.024s separated teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the McLarens were a massive 0.627s faster than their nearest challenger of Mercedes' George Russell. 

CLICK HERE: The full order from final practice in Saudi Arabia

Norris, Piastri, Russell, Verstappen, Leclerc, Albon, Sainz, Gasly, Tsunoda and Antonelli.

During that Hamilton chatter, Norris has pipped Piastri at the top of the timesheets. 

Verstappen moves up to fourth in the Red Bull, 0.8s down on Piastri. 

“I just don’t have grip, mate. I don’t know…”

Hamilton improves to 12th, 1.2s down on Norris' top time. Concerning for the seven-time world champion. 

Hamilton asks: "How much am I down in the sectors?"

His engineer replies: "7 tenths first sectors, 4 tenths second sector, and we aborted last sector..." 

Piastri, Norris, Russell, Leclerc, Albon, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Antonelli, Alonso and Sainz. 

It's only fourth-fastest for Leclerc, 0.8s off Piastri's impressive time. 

Norris slots into second, 0.158s behind his teammate. 

He sets a 1m27.513s to go 0.7s ahead of Russell.

Piastri, Norris, Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Russell, Albon, Tsunoda, Hamilton and Gasly. 

Leclerc moves up to third in the Ferrari, 0.2s down on Piastri. 

Verstappen moves into third-fastest in the Red Bull, a couple of tenths shy of Piastri's top time.

Tsunoda goes sixth. 

Piastri, Norris, Leclerc, Verstappen, Hamilton, Russell, Hulkenberg, Bearman, Doohan and Gasly. 

Norris makes it a McLaren 1-2 again - 0.158s between them two. 

His time is a 1m28.605s to go 0.2s ahead of Leclerc. 

Leclerc storms to the top of the timesheets now with a 1m28.860s to go 0.2s ahead of Verstappen. A bit of a moment for Leclerc in the final corner doesn't stop him from taking top spot. 

A 1m29.077s for the reigning world champion, less than a tenth ahead of Piastri.

Current top 10: Verstappen, Piastri, Norris, Bearman, Doohan, Ocon, Hamilton, Leclerc, Hadjar and Bortoleto. 

0.085s between the McLaren duo at the top of the timesheets. 

A 1m29.118s for the McLaren driver, which puts him 0.5s ahead of Doohan.

Norris is also out on track. 

Doohan sets a 1m29.666s - 0.3s quicker than he went yesterday. A good lap from the Alpine driver.