Red Bull’s Sergio Perez will start from pole position in Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix alongside Fernando Alonso after championship leader Max Verstappen was forced out of qualifying in Q2 with a drive shaft issue.
Perez set a time of 1:29.244s in Q3 under the lights of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The Red Bull driver set a time ahead of the second fastest time set by Charles Leclerc, who will start in 12th due to a penalty.
Red Bull’s Verstappen made a shock exit from qualifying as the session entered into the final five minutes of Q2. Verstappen was forced to limp back to the pits, saying over the radio, “I have a problem. Engine problem”.
Verstappen’s absence in Q3 opened up the possibility for three different teams to occupy the top three positions. But no one could match the pace of Perez in the remaining Red Bull, even with the Aston Martin’s coming within touching distance.
George Russell will start on the second row of the grid alongside Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.
This article will be updated.
Keyword: Perez takes Jeddah pole as Verstappen suffers Q2 exit