P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen denied Oscar Piastri pole position for the Saudi Arabian GP in a qualifying session interrupted by a heavy crash for F1 world championship leader Lando Norris
Max Verstappen denied Oscar Piastri pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in a qualifying session interrupted by a heavy crash for Formula 1 world championship leader Lando Norris. Norris lost control of his McLaren over a kerb in the high-speed first sector of the lap during his first flying lap of Q3 and slewed into the opposite barrier, doing heavy damage to the left-hand side of his car. When the session resumed, Red Bull uniquely sent Verstappen out with fuel for two flying laps separated by a pitstop for fresh tyres. Verstappen pipped Piastri’s benchmark by just 0.001s on his first attempt before ultimately claiming a second pole in the last three races with a final lap. George Russell completed the top three, with Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli following behind. Lewis Hamilton was only seventh, and Carlos Sainz impressed by putting his Williams sixth on the grid.