BEAKING NEW’S, Hamilton’s Struggles Persist in Jeddah as Red Flag Disrupts Qualifying… Read more

Hamilton’s Struggles Persist in Jeddah as Red Flag Disrupts Qualifying

Lewis Hamilton’s early-season woes continued under the lights of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit as the seven-time world champion finished a modest seventh in qualifying for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The dramatic session was marred by a high-speed crash and a red flag, compounding the challenges for several front-runners, including Hamilton himself.

The session was interrupted during Q3 when McLaren’s Lando Norris lost control at Turn 5. After topping multiple practice sessions and leading Q2, Norris’s crash ended his hopes of securing pole position. The Briton clipped a kerb and slammed into the wall, prompting the red flag and halting the session for several minutes. While Norris emerged unharmed, the damage to his car was extensive and left him starting tenth for Sunday’s race.

Taking full advantage of the disruption was Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who secured pole with a stellar lap of 1:27.294. The Dutchman edged out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by just 0.010 seconds in a tightly contested front row battle. Mercedes’ George Russell clinched third, ahead of Charles Leclerc in the lead Ferrari.

Despite the pressure of returning to Jeddah—a circuit where he claimed a memorable win in its inaugural 2021 race—Hamilton appeared unsettled. Now in his first season with Ferrari, the British driver has yet to find harmony with the SF-25. “The car still feels like a puzzle I’m trying to solve,” Hamilton admitted post-session. “We’re making progress, but it’s not where I want it to be.”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli impressed again for Mercedes by qualifying fifth, continuing his strong debut season, while Carlos Sainz, now with Williams, slotted into sixth place ahead of Hamilton. The top ten was rounded out by Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), and Norris, who, despite his crash, had set a time good enough for P10.

Here’s how the top 10 line up for Sunday’s race:

• Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
• George Russell (Mercedes)
• Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
• Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
• Carlos Sainz (Williams)
• Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
• Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull)
• Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
• Lando Norris (McLaren)

With Verstappen firmly back on form and Piastri showing front-running consistency, Sunday’s race promises to be a fierce battle. For Hamilton, the focus remains on adapting to a new team and clawing back into contention. “I know we’ll get there,” he said. “It’s just going to take a bit more time.”

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix gets underway Sunday evening, and with the tight nature of the Jeddah street circuit, strategy, tire management, and timing will be critical. All eyes will be on whether Hamilton can mount a charge or if Verstappen will continue to dominate under the desert lights.