P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen claimed his first-ever pole position in Jeddah, securing the first spot on the grid for tomorrow’s 2024 Formula
Dutchman Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start on the front row in the Saudi Arabian GP qualifying session. Sergio Perez secured the third position behind them. The night setting in Jeddah added drama to the tense qualifying battle among the top drivers, continuing the trend from the previous race in Bahrain. Despite a close field, young Oliver Bearman’s debut in F1 qualifying as a substitute for Carlos Sainz grabbed attention, while Zhou Guanyu’s frantic garage repairs added more excitement. Verstappen dominated Q1, narrowly leading Lance Stroll and Leclerc. The elimination of Bottas, Ocon, Gasly, Sargeant, and Zhou in Q1 made way for surprises like Bearman entering Q2 with an impressive ninth position. However, Hulkenberg faced technical trouble in Q2, preventing a repeat of his Bahrain success, while the final shootout in Q3 featured strong performances from Verstappen, Perez, and Alonso. Leclerc faced challenges with his car setup, setting the stage for an intense race day.
