How F1 qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix unfolded
Follow final practice and qualifying for Formula 1's inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Formula 1 heads to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for the first time in its history with the title battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton finely poised at the top.
Just eight points separate Verstappen and Hamilton with two rounds remaining in 2021.
The Dutchman could take the title this weekend should results go his way but given Mercedes' impressive run of form in recent rounds, a title decider in Abu Dhabi looks more likely.
The circuit itself poses a unique challenge given that it is a high-speed street circuit.
Outside the top two, just 13 points separate Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez in the race for third in the drivers' championship, and no doubt, both drivers will have a significant role to play.
In the constructors', Mercedes leads Red Bull by five points, while Ferrari is 39.5 ahead of McLaren in the fight for third.
Alpine is 25 clear of AlphaTauri, while Williams is 13 ahead of Alfa Romeo.
Reporting by Connor McDonagh
Key Moments
18:55
Tsunoda has gone off at the opening sequence of corners. Might be a Safety...
18:21
Red flag again...
18:19
Here we go then with part two... it's lights out and away we go again in...
Lewis Hamilton wins the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen.
19:38
Final lap...
19:32
5 laps to go in Jeddah...
19:32
Verstappen and Hamilton will be level on points going into Abu Dhabi as it stands.
19:31
The order on Lap 44: Hamilton, Verstappen, Ocon, Bottas, Ricciardo, Gasly, Sainz, Leclerc, Giovinazzi and Norris.
19:29
Hamilton is now back in the lead?! What on earth is happening.
19:29
Verstappen gives Hamilton the place back, but takes it back at the next corner.
19:24
Bottas finally gets past Ricciardo into Turn 1 with the use of DRS.
19:21
Front wing damage for Hamilton after he run into the back of the Dutchman.
19:20
Oh my! Contact between Hamilton and Verstappen.
19:19
Hamilton and Verstappen almost collide into Turn 1 as he's forced to take to the run-off.
19:17
Another Virtual Safety Car due to debris...
19:17
Hamilton is now in DRS range of Verstappen but no doubt he drop back again.
19:17
Hamilton is now in DRS range of Verstappen but no doubt he drop back again.
19:13
Order on Lap 33: Verstappen, Hamilton, Ocon, Ricciardo, Bottas, Gasly, Giovinazzi, Sainz, Leclerc and Stroll.
19:12
VSC ending - looks like we will be back underway finally.
19:10
Looks like the track is clear...
19:07
"We need a safety car, I don't know if Michael is hearing or not. The circuit is in the worst condition of the weekend, mate," Alonso says over team radio.
How F1 qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix unfolded
Follow final practice and qualifying for Formula 1's inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Formula 1 heads to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for the first time in its history with the title battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton finely poised at the top.
Just eight points separate Verstappen and Hamilton with two rounds remaining in 2021.
The Dutchman could take the title this weekend should results go his way but given Mercedes' impressive run of form in recent rounds, a title decider in Abu Dhabi looks more likely.
The circuit itself poses a unique challenge given that it is a high-speed street circuit.
Outside the top two, just 13 points separate Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez in the race for third in the drivers' championship, and no doubt, both drivers will have a significant role to play.
In the constructors', Mercedes leads Red Bull by five points, while Ferrari is 39.5 ahead of McLaren in the fight for third.
Alpine is 25 clear of AlphaTauri, while Williams is 13 ahead of Alfa Romeo.
Bottas gets Ocon to the line! The scenes...
Lewis Hamilton wins the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen.
Final lap...
5 laps to go in Jeddah...
Verstappen and Hamilton will be level on points going into Abu Dhabi as it stands.
The order on Lap 44: Hamilton, Verstappen, Ocon, Bottas, Ricciardo, Gasly, Sainz, Leclerc, Giovinazzi and Norris.
Hamilton is now back in the lead?! What on earth is happening.
Verstappen gives Hamilton the place back, but takes it back at the next corner.
Bottas finally gets past Ricciardo into Turn 1 with the use of DRS.
Front wing damage for Hamilton after he run into the back of the Dutchman.
Oh my! Contact between Hamilton and Verstappen.
Hamilton and Verstappen almost collide into Turn 1 as he's forced to take to the run-off.
Another Virtual Safety Car due to debris...
Hamilton is now in DRS range of Verstappen but no doubt he drop back again.
Hamilton is now in DRS range of Verstappen but no doubt he drop back again.
Order on Lap 33: Verstappen, Hamilton, Ocon, Ricciardo, Bottas, Gasly, Giovinazzi, Sainz, Leclerc and Stroll.
VSC ending - looks like we will be back underway finally.
Looks like the track is clear...
"We need a safety car, I don't know if Michael is hearing or not. The circuit is in the worst condition of the weekend, mate," Alonso says over team radio.