Max Verstappen claimed a sensational pole position for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, narrowly edging out Oscar Piastri by just 0.010s in a nail-biting conclusion to a dramatic qualifying session under the lights in Jeddah.
McLaren had looked like the team to beat after strong performances throughout the weekend’s practice sessions, with many expecting either Piastri or teammate Lando Norris to take top spot in Q3. However, the final phase of qualifying took a sudden twist.
Just moments after Piastri posted the first benchmark time in Q3, Norris suffered a heavy crash at Turn 5, losing control over the kerbs and slamming into the wall. The incident brought out a red flag and ended Norris’s session prematurely, leaving him without a time in P10.
When the session resumed, a thrilling battle for pole unfolded. George Russell momentarily went fastest for Mercedes, before Piastri reclaimed provisional P1 with an impressive lap. But Verstappen had the final word, delivering a stunning 1:27.294 in his Red Bull to snatch pole by the narrowest of margins.
Russell was pushed down to third, while Charles Leclerc took fourth for Ferrari. Mercedes’ young talent Kimi Antonelli continued to impress, securing fifth on the grid, just ahead of Carlos Sainz, who delivered his best qualifying result yet in a Williams.
Top 10 – Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Qualifying:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:27.294
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.010s
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – No time set
Hamilton, still finding his rhythm in Ferrari colours, settled for seventh, while Tsunoda claimed eighth for Red Bull ahead of a solid Pierre Gasly in ninth for Alpine.
Norris’s early crash locked him into P10, despite his strong pace earlier in the weekend.
Q2 Elimination:
Just missing out on Q3 was Alex Albon, who finished 11th for Williams, narrowly 0.007s short. Liam Lawson followed in 12th for Racing Bulls, expressing frustration after slipping down the order. Fernando Alonso ended up 13th in the Aston Martin, while Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) and Ollie Bearman (Haas) rounded out the Q2 drop zone in 14th and 15th.
Q1 Elimination:
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll missed the cut in 16th, joined by Alpine’s Jack Doohan in 17th. Kick Sauber endured a disappointing session with both cars out in Q1 – Nico Hulkenberg in 18th and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto in 20th after a spin on his final flying lap. Esteban Ocon’s struggles with Haas continued, ending up 19th.
With Verstappen on pole and Piastri and Russell right behind, Sunday’s race promises fireworks on the ultra-fast streets of Jeddah.
