by Can Mercedes challenge Red Bull in new F1 season? | You Ask The Questions
Sergio Perez took a surprising pole position for today’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen suffered a mechanical failure during qualifying.
Verstappen will only finish 15th, but Perez saved some joy for Red Bull by beating Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc into second, with Fernando Alonso third ahead of Aston Martin.
George Russell finished fourth, but his Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton only qualified eighth. Verstappen was the odds-on favorite to race to first place under the lights in Jeddah after topping all three practice sessions in his dominant Red Bull machine.
But drama struck for the Dutchman in Q2 when a driveshaft problem hit his Red Bull. Verstappen cautiously limped back to the pits, but with less than seven minutes to go his mechanics were unable to rectify the fault.
Follow live updates from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with The Independent
F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Round 39/50 – Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso
Verstappen complains about a vibration on the drive shaft, which caused his problem in qualifying yesterday!
It seems OK for the two-time world champion for now.
Verstappen’s engineer: “Continue for the time being. For now we are satisfied.”
Kiran JacksonMarch 19, 2023 6:07 PM
F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Round 37/50 – Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso
Now squeeze between the Red Bulls – the gap is 4.4 seconds.
Max Verstappen complains of a “weird noise” at high speeds. Interesting…
Elsewhere, George Russell has extended his lead over Hamilton to more than two seconds while Fernando Alonsoin third place, looks very comfortable for that final podium spot!
Kiran JacksonMarch 19, 2023 6:06 PM
F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Round 31/50 – Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso
Sergio Perez has, rather impressively, maintained his five-second lead Max Verstappen – so no close racing between the Red Bulls yet.
In the meantime, George Russell has just set his fastest lap and has moved out of the DRS range Lewis Hamilton!
TOP-10: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso, Russell, Hamilton, Sainz, Leclerc, Ocon, Gasly, Tsunoda
Kiran JacksonMarch 19, 2023 5:56 PM
F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Round 28/50 – Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso
Alex Albon makes it to the pit lane, but his Williams is out of the race!
Lewis Hamilton has DRS behind Mercedes teammate George Russell…
Russell protests that he doesn’t want to let his teammate pass because of from Alonso sentence – but he has been told he has already served it!
Kiran JacksonMarch 19, 2023 5:53 PM
F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Round 28/50 – Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso
Lewis Hamilton is the one to look out for behind the front two – he’s on mediums and hot on his heels George Russell on the fourth.
However, Alex Albon complains about a brake problem… can he go back to the pits?!
Kiran JacksonMarch 19, 2023 5:50 PM
F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Round 28/50 – Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso
That didn’t take long – Max Verstappen is to second, blow past Fernando Alonso along the inside on the straight!
The gap from Perez to Verstappen? Five seconds.
It’s now two races; Red Bulls against each other… and the rest.
(Getty Images)
Kiran JacksonMarch 19, 2023 5:47 PM
F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Round 24/50 – Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Verstappen
DRS now enabled… and Max Verstappen doesn’t even need the pit lane to overtake, he does it inside!
The Dutchman to third! George Russell just powerless to stop him!
And Verstappen is now getting closer Fernando Alonso…
Kiran JacksonMarch 19, 2023 5:46 PM
F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Round 22/50 – Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell
Russell hold off Verstappen… But Sainz can’t stand it Hamilton – the seven-time world champion up to P5!
Lewis Hamilton is the only driver in the top-14 on medium tyres, the rest on hard tyres! He is now the standout…
Could he bring Verstappen in, maybe?!
Kiran JacksonMarch 19, 2023 5:42 PM
F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Round 22/50 – Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell
We race again in Jeddah!
George Russell made a move Fernando Alonso for second heading into Turn 1, but simply didn’t have enough purchase!
Clean haven for everyone.
Verstappen right on the tail of Russell already…
Kiran JacksonMarch 19, 2023 5:41 PM
F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Round 21/50 – Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell
We’re going to race again!
It’s been perfect for Max Verstappen, this. He was behind a pit stop Sergio Perezbut now is close as the pack has bunched up…
Kiran JacksonMarch 19, 2023 5:38 PM
