Sergio Perez saved the Red Bull honor and took pole position for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix when Formula 1 title defender Max Verstappen dropped out early.
The Mexican relegated Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari to second place on Saturday (03/18/2023) in the decisive period of the knockout phase. However, the Monegasque had to drop ten places in the race due to a penalty on the starting grid.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso from Spain was third in qualifying in his Aston Martin. The 41-year-old will move up to the front row as a result of the Leclerc penalty.
Surprisingly, George Russell in the Mercedes took a good third place, Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari will start from fourth place. Record world champion Lewis Hamilton is only seventh in the second Mercedes. Nico Hülkenberg was eliminated in Haas in the second round in eleventh place.
Verstappen only in 15th place
Verstappen was no longer able to intervene in the battle of the top ten in the knockout elimination. The two-time world champion, defending champion and last year’s winner had to park his Red Bull in the pits with a defect in the second period. At the time, Verstappen was in 15th place.
For teammate Perez it is the second pole of his career. He also got the first one from the super-fast street circuit in Jeddah a year ago.