Ferrari superstar Charles Leclerc was very impressed with Aussie young gun Oscar Piastri, who finished with a strong performance in qualifying and will start eighth on the grid in Saudi Arabia.
Pole position was taken by his Sergio Perez after Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen retired with driveshaft failure.
The defending double world champion – as certain a bet as existed for pole before the action began – cut a sad figure as his participation ended in Q2. He qualified only 15th.
The Mexican’s pole was the second of his career, his only coming here a year ago.
Third fastest was Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, 0.465sec back.
Ferrari superstar Charles Leclerc was very impressed with Aussie young gun Oscar Piastri, who wrapped up a strong performance in qualifying and will start eighth on the grid in Saudi Arabia
Pole position was taken by his Sergio Perez after Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen retired with driveshaft failure
Oscar Piastri surpassed all expectations in the final stage of qualifying to record the ninth fastest time.
The Aussie, in his second F1 race, was the only McLaren to reach the final stage – beating his teammate by ten places.
‘It’s amazing,’ Leclerc told Speedcafe when asked about the youngster’s performance.
‘Especially after a year off and [this is his] second race, on a street track, in a very challenging race – probably one of the most challenging of the season.
‘To see him have such a performance is great, however, it’s not really a surprise with what he has shown in the past,’ he added.
‘I’m sure he’s very talented and he showed that today.’
Leclerc, who qualified second fastest, would pick up a 10-place engine penalty for getting a new electronic element in his engine and bump Piastri up to eighth on the grid.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso was also full of praise for the Aussie.
Oscar Piastri surpassed all expectations in the final stage of qualifying to record the ninth fastest time. The Aussie, in his second F1 race, was the only McLaren to reach the final stage – beating his teammate by ten places
Leclerc, who qualified second fastest, will pick up a 10-place engine penalty for getting a new electronic element in his engine and bump Piastri up to eighth on the grid
‘I think there is nothing new; he has tremendous talent,’ he said.
‘Very tricky place, so I’m happy for him and also happy for McLaren.
‘We also need a strong McLaren in the match.’
The Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were fourth and eighth respectively – more doom and gloom for an increasingly worried Lewis, who was 0.958sec adrift of Perez and a heart-puncturing three- tenths behind his team-mate.
As Verstappen limped home to the pits, doomed for Sunday’s lower-mid grid, his father Jos took off his headphones and turned away sadly.
Max hardly put on a brighter face as he removed his balaclava and climbed the FIA scales.
Verstappen’s problems began in what he called a ‘big moment’ eight minutes from the end of Q2. He recovered. Then, his session-ending setback moments later.
Max Verstappen was forced out of qualifying due to drive shaft problems
Verstappen’s problems began in what he called a ‘big moment’ eight minutes from the end of Q2. He recovered. Then, his session-ending setback moments later
Despite the obvious pain of having the expected grid advantage ripped from his grasp, Verstappen can console himself with the knowledge that he can still win 50 laps of this white-knuckle track along the Jeddah Corniche.
It promises to be a spicier race than anyone could have predicted, as the Dutchman tries to break through the field.
As for Alonso, he was chasing his first win since he won on home asphalt, in Barcelona, in 2013.
The Spaniard promises that his long-term speed is better than a lap, so he is well in the mix.
Lando Norris got involved early when he spun in the corner of the 27th and final turn.
He returned to the McLaren garage but his crew could not fix his car in time and he was out of Q1.
He was disgusted with himself – 16th in a dismal place to start Sunday’s race.
There were some early slips. Alonso spun, as did Williams’ Logan Sargeant, who qualified last after stopping with a damaged car – a wet session for the American rookie.
London-born Thai Alex Albon was 17th best in the other team. As new boss James Vowles admits there is a long way to go for the renowned team.
