Saudi Arabia GP: Lewis Hamilton takes a shocking pole as Max Verstappen crashes out

Lewis Hamilton will start the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on pole position after Max Verstappen crashed on his final lap to ensure a Mercedes front row lockout.

Before qualifying even started, there was controversy for Hamilton as he was called to the stewards for a potential yellow flag infringement, but he was found innocent.

On the first set of laps, it was Carlos Sainz who set the quickest time to the shock of many. But Verstappen quickly put a stop to that mid-way through the session, setting a time a hair quicker than the Spaniard.

On the final set of laps, it was Sergio Perez who set the fastest lap ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Daniel Ricciardo. We lost Nikita Mazepin, Mick Schumacher, Lance Stroll, Sebastian Vettel and Nicholas Latifi from the session.

In Q2, everyone barring Russell decided to start the session on the medium set of tyres. It was the two Red Bull’s who were the fastest on the opening laps. But in the end, it was Hamilton who set the fastest time of the session, two tenths faster than anyone else.

We lost Carlos Sainz, George Russell, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Daniel Ricciardo from the session. 

In Q3, Mercedes went out earlier, but it didn’t work out for them as Hamilton lost the rear and ruined his lap. While Bottas couldn’t put in a quick lap.

Hamilton then put in a decent lap that saw him jump Bottas, but Verstappen jumped them both by three tenths.

On the final laps. Hamilton set a very fast lap that saw him on provisional pole. But his title challenger, Verstappen, was two tenths faster going into the final sector. Verstappen rapidly approached the final corner, but a lock up saw him lose the rear and hit the wall, ending his session.

Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc will start fourth in the Ferrari with Sergio Perez in fifth. Pierre Gasly will start sixth with Lando Norris in seventh. Yuki Tsunoda will start in eighth with Esteban Ocon in ninth and Antonio Giovinazzi rounds out the top 10.

By Charlie Parker