Qualifying top three in parc ferme (L to R): Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari, second; Sergio Perez (MEX) Red Bull Racing, pole
Qualifying top three in parc ferme (L to R): Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari…

How qualifying for the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix unfolded

Sergio Perez claimed pole position as teammate Max Verstappen hit trouble in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Here's how it unfolded...

18 Mar 2023
17:20
Out in Q1

Tsunoda, Albon, de Vries, Norris and Sargeant.

17:18
Chequered flag

Ocon goes seventh; Gasly into 11th.

17:16

No improvements currently - has the track got slower?

17:15
Into the final three minutes

Norris, Tsunoda, de Vries, gasly and Sargeant are in the pit lane.

17:13
Alonso make amends

The Spaniard moves up to fourth in the Aston Martin, 0.6s down.

17:11
Alonso spins

A rare mistake from Alonso, who spun at Turn 2. No damage done to his Aston Martin though.

17:09
Norris taps the wall

Into the final corner, Norris brushes the wall, damaging the front of his car.

A repair job for McLaren now.

17:09
Current order

Verstappen, Perez, Hulkenberg, Magnussen, Russell, Leclerc, Zhou, Piastri, Hamilton and Albon.

17:07

Verstappen wastes no time to restore his advantage over Perez - 0.5s between the two Red Bulls.

17:07
Red Bull back on top

Perez goes 0.6s clear of Hulkenberg at the top of the timesheets.

17:06
Leclerc into second

He's behind the Haas of Hulkenberg though? What is going on at Ferrari.

17:04
Williams on top

Impressive pace from Williams as Sargeant goes quickest with a 1m29.721s, a tenth ahead of Hulkenberg.

17:03
A spin for de Vries

After missing FP3, de Vries has a spin into Turn 1. 

17:02
Albon leads the pack

Albon and Sargeant will be the first two drivers to set times in Q1.

Red Bulls, Astons, Mercs and Alpines remain in the pit lane.

17:00
17:00
Q1 is underway

Here we go then!

18 minutes to decide 16th-20th on the grid for tomorrow's race.

16:58
Our prediction

Verstappen, Perez, Leclerc, Alonso, Sainz

16:52
Not long to go until qualifying

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah, Saudi
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship,…

16:40
Rosberg's view on Mercedes
16:19
The man to beat

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2,…

16:10
What happened in FP3?

Read our FP3 report...

Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah,
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. Formula 1 World…

16:07
The Jeddah circuit

Lance Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah, Saudi
Lance Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR23. Formula 1 World…

15:58
Just over one hour to go

Can anyone stop Verstappen? Qualifying is at 5pm UK time.

14:33
FP3 results

Full order from final practice in Jeddah...

Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing FW45. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2, Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Jeddah, Saudi
Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams Racing FW45. Formula 1 World Championship,…

14:31

Leclerc goes sixth in the Ferrari.