Verstappen snatches Saudi Pole as Norris crashes out
RIYADH: Max Verstappen delivered a late qualifying masterclass under the Jeddah lights to claim pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, narrowly edging McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by just 0.01 seconds in a dramatic finish.
The Red Bull driver, currently trailing McLaren’s Lando Norris by eight points in the championship standings, clocked a 1:27.294 on his final flying lap to grab his second pole in three races. “The car came alive in the night,” said a beaming Verstappen, who now aims to repeat his 2024 race win at the high-speed Corniche circuit.
Piastri, chasing history as the first Australian to lead the standings since Mark Webber in 2010, lines up alongside the three-time world champion on the front row. Behind them, Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc occupy the second row, setting up a tantalizing contest in Sunday’s night race.
Championship leader Lando Norris, meanwhile, endured heartbreak after hitting the wall and could only manage 10th on the grid. Red Bull boss Christian Horner warned of a stern test ahead: “The McLaren is very, very quick in race trim. We’re going to have a hell of a fight on our hands to try to keep Oscar behind us.”
With pole-sitters winning three of the last four races in Jeddah, Verstappen will be hoping history stays on his side.
