Breaking: Hamilton and Verstappen despair as SHOCK star tr…..read more
Hamilton and Verstappen despair as SHOCK star tr…..read more
In a surprising turn of events during the opening practice session of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Pierre Gasly emerged as the fastest driver on the track, leaving seasoned Formula 1 champions Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton struggling to find pace. The Alpine driver delivered an unexpected performance that saw him top the timesheets on soft tyres, outpacing many of the sport’s current frontrunners and shaking up expectations heading into the weekend.
Gasly’s impressive showing was a standout moment in the first practice session (FP1), as he managed to beat both McLaren drivers, who have been consistently competitive this season. Championship leader Lando Norris secured the second-fastest time, closely trailing Gasly, while his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri also posted a strong performance, ending the session just behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Leclerc’s lap was good enough for third place, positioning him between the two McLarens and maintaining Ferrari’s presence near the top of the leaderboard.
Meanwhile, the two most decorated names on the grid in recent years, Hamilton and Verstappen, found themselves unusually off the pace. Hamilton ended the session down in eighth place, while Verstappen was only marginally slower, finishing in ninth. For both drivers, the session was far from ideal, with neither able to unlock the full potential of their cars under the daytime conditions at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
It’s important to note, however, that FP1 does not provide the most accurate representation of race conditions. The session took place during the daytime, whereas both qualifying and the race itself will be held under floodlights in the cooler evening temperatures. As such, teams and drivers are expected to place greater emphasis on FP2, which takes place at 8pm local time—the same hour that both qualifying and the main race will begin. This session is considered far more telling in terms of car setup, tyre performance, and overall pace.
Nonetheless, Gasly’s performance in FP1 will surely boost morale within the Alpine camp, especially as the team has faced various challenges so far this season. While practice times are not always an indicator of final race results, leading a session ahead of top teams such as Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari is no small feat. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this early pace can be translated into competitive performances in the sessions that truly matter.
