World champion Max Verstappen finished fourth. A serious accident involving Haas driver Mick Schumacher caused qualifying in Saudi Arabia to be interrupted for a long time.
“Hard work always pays off,” Perez commented on his career milestone while still in his car. He is the first Mexican to secure a pole position in Formula 1. Bahrain winner Leclerc set the best time in all practice sessions.
In the second qualifying segment, Schumacher crashed violently into the concrete barrier, causing massive damage to his car. According to his racing team, the German suffered no external injuries, but was taken to a nearby clinic for further clarification. According to Sky information, the 23-year-old was traveling at 274 km/h shortly before the crash at the exit of curve 10.
Hamilton too slow
For the first time since 2009, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton had to end a qualification in the first section because he was too slow. The Brit only finished 16th at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. “I’m so sorry, folks,” said the Mercedes driver over the team radio. In 2017 in Brazil he was unable to set a timed lap in qualifying after an accident.
After an attack by the Houthi rebels on a refinery in Jeddah on Friday, which left a huge cloud of smoke and a great shock in the paddock, doubts were raised about the race in Saudi Arabia. After long deliberations, the collective of Formula 1 drivers, Formula 1 and the local organizer decided to go through with the Grand Prix weekend as planned.
Source: Nachrichten
