Other News
Verstappen takes pole in Jeddah as title battle heats up─── MORGAN PIEK 11:15 Sun, 20 Apr 2025
The reigning Formula 1 world champion, Max Verstappen, will be confident of getting back to winning ways on Sunday at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, held at the high-speed Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Verstappen secured pole position for the fifth round of the F1 season after posting the fastest qualifying time on Saturday.
Driving for Red Bull, he clocked a time of 1:27.294, narrowly edging out the young and confident Australian, Oscar Piastri, from McLaren.
What if we put Max Verstappen Suzuka and Jeddah pole lap on loop and watch it all night? ????pic.twitter.com/qMArwk4vyo
— ??????? (@formuLau16) April 19, 2025
Piastri, who claimed victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix, will start alongside Verstappen on the front row with a time of 1:27.304. If all goes to plan on Sunday, he could move to the top of the Drivers’ Championship thanks to his consistent form this season. George Russell of Mercedes qualified third with a time of 1:27.407.
Charles Leclerc was once again the quickest Ferrari driver and will start in fourth, while his teammate, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, will line up in seventh. He will start ahead of Red Bull’s second driver, Yuki Tsunoda of Japan.
Championship leader Lando Norris, also driving for McLaren, will face a tough challenge. Despite clocking a solid 1:27.481 in Q2, he was unable to complete the final session and will start from tenth on the grid.
Speaking after securing his first pole since the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, Verstappen said his car finally came to life under the Jeddah night lights.
“The car came alive at night. We made some final changes, and it was a lot more enjoyable to drive. The grip was coming to me, and around here, a qualifying lap is extremely tricky because of all the walls. You really need to nail it.
“It’s very satisfying to be on pole here. It’s the best position to start from tomorrow, even though I think it’ll be tough to keep everyone behind. But we’re going to give it a proper go.
Oscar Piastri. Photo: X
“Tomorrow’s a different story with the higher tyre temperatures. During the stints, it’ll be challenging, but we’ll give it everything.
“I do feel better about the changes we’ve made to the car, but whether it’ll be enough, I’m not sure. That’s what makes it exciting, we don’t fully know how it’ll play out. The one thing I do know is that I’ll give it everything.”
Verstappen himself could leap to the top of the Drivers’ Standings with a win on Sunday, provided things don’t go McLaren’s way. Lights out for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is scheduled for 19:00.
