Saudi Arabia Grand Prix Qualifying: Sergio Perez takes pole position after Red Bull team mate Max Verstappen’s sudden Q2 exit

Max Verstappen made a shock exit from Q2 after suffering a driveshaft failure at Red Bull; Watch the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live on Sunday from 3:30pm on Sky Sports F1

Sergio Perez took pole at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after his Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen made a shock early exit from qualifying after a mechanical failure.

Verstappen was widely favored to take pole after comfortably leading all three practice sessions on Formula 1’s fastest street circuit, but a driveshaft failure saw him return to the Red Bull garage midway through Q2 and promptly exit the car, leaving him to start the race. Sunday at 15.

The world champion’s exit from the championship was closer than expected to take the lead, but Perez maintained his composure to maintain pole position in Jeddah for the second season in a row.

Charles Leclerc is second for Ferrari but faces a 10-point penalty, which means Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso will join Perez on the front row.

George Russell gave Mercedes a boost by finishing fourth ahead of another Ferrari of Carlos Sainz, but Lewis Hamilton only managed eighth because he stayed off his teammate’s pace.

More to track…

Formula 1 street racing is back! Watch the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 this weekend. Sunday’s race starts at 5pm, with the race starting at 3:30pm. Get Sky Sports