F1 NEWS: Max Verstappen handed qualifying shock as huge crash hits S…read more
F1 NEWS: Max Verstappen handed qualifying shock as huge crash hits S…read more
Max Verstappen stormed to a surprise pole position for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after a major incident involving Lando Norris disrupted the final part of qualifying.
Norris lost control of his McLaren at Turn 5 after hitting the kerb, suffering a violent snap that sent him into the wall. Despite trying to save the car, he crashed heavily, immediately apologizing to his team over the radio, calling himself a “f***ing idiot.” The session was red-flagged, and Norris was unable to set a time in Q3.
The crash gave Verstappen a golden opportunity to deliver a flying lap on his remaining tyres when the session resumed. The Red Bull driver made it count, posting a time of 1:27.294, narrowly beating Oscar Piastri by just 0.010s to claim pole.
Hamilton Scrapes Through, Qualifies Seventh
Lewis Hamilton barely made it into Q3, edging out Alex Albon by a slim 0.007s in Q2. He eventually secured P7 for Sunday’s race, two places behind teammate Charles Leclerc, who took fourth.
Rookie Kimi Antonelli impressed again for Mercedes, qualifying fifth, while George Russell put in a strong lap to take third. Carlos Sainz placed sixth for Williams, while Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10 behind Hamilton.
2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Full Qualifying Results
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:27.294
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – +0.010
- George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.113
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.376
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +0.572
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +0.870
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +0.907
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – +0.910
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – +1.073
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – No Time
Knocked Out in Q2
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- Ollie Bearman (Haas)
Knocked Out in Q1
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Jack Doohan (Alpine)
- Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber)
- Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber)
F1 Qualifying Format Explained:
Qualifying is split into three sessions. The slowest five drivers are knocked out in Q1, followed by another five in Q2. The top ten then fight for pole position in Q3.
Verstappen’s late charge, paired with Norris’ misfortune, has thrown a fresh twist into the title battle ahead of what’s set to be a thrilling Sunday race in Jeddah.
