Max Verstappen clinched a breathtaking pole position for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, showcasing a flawless performance under pressure. The reigning World Champion delivered a sensational final lap in Q3 with a time of 1:27.302, securing Red Bull’s supremacy on the ultra-fast street circuit once again. Verstappen’s pole comes amid rising challenges, with Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes all closing the gap during the early races of the season.
The Dutch driver, unshaken by the high-speed nature of the track and its unforgiving walls, produced a lap that perfectly blended aggression and control. His sector times reflected surgical precision—fastest in all three, especially in Sector 2 where Red Bull’s straight-line advantage proved decisive.
Lando Norris Crashes in Q1, Ending McLaren’s High Hopes
McLaren’s weekend took a dramatic downturn when Lando Norris collided with the wall in Q1. The British driver lost the rear of his MCL38 at Turn 13, making heavy contact with the right side of the car and ending his qualifying run prematurely. Norris, who had shown strong pace in the final practice, was poised to challenge the front runners but will now start near the back of the grid—assuming the team can repair the car without incurring penalties.
The incident triggered a red flag, briefly halting the session and forcing teams to reevaluate tire and strategy plans as the track evolved. Norris later confirmed over team radio that he was unharmed, but the damage to McLaren’s campaign in Jeddah was done.
Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez Complete Top Three
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc qualified second, just 0.128s behind Verstappen. The Monegasque driver continued his strong qualifying form in 2025, extracting the maximum from the SF-24 with a balanced, confident drive. Leclerc’s final attempt was clean but ultimately lacked the edge needed to unseat Verstappen from the top.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez took third, narrowly beating Mercedes’ George Russell, who pushed the W15 to its limits in a renewed show of competitiveness for the Silver Arrows. Perez, the winner in Jeddah in 2022, has shown flashes of his street circuit prowess and will be a factor in the race with strategic flexibility on his side.
Full Qualifying Results – Top 10
| Position | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1:27.302 |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.128s |
| 3 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Racing | +0.246s |
| 4 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.319s |
| 5 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | +0.402s |
| 6 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.433s |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | +0.511s |
| 8 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | +0.524s |
| 9 | Yuki Tsunoda | RB | +0.578s |
| 10 | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | +0.649s |
Qualifying Drama in Q1 and Q2
The early stages of qualifying were rife with tension. Besides Norris’s crash in Q1, there were close calls for several drivers in Sector 1, where the narrow walls and blind corners of Jeddah demand millimeter-perfect execution. Williams’ Alexander Albon narrowly avoided the barriers after a snap of oversteer in Turn 4 but managed to keep the car intact.
Q2 saw a surprising elimination for Esteban Ocon, who couldn’t extract enough pace from the Alpine as their struggles in 2025 continue. Valtteri Bottas also failed to make the cut, although his Sauber appeared more balanced than in previous sessions. Tsunoda’s impressive lap, however, ensured RB representation in Q3—another sign that Red Bull’s junior team is punching above its weight this season.
Tactical Preview for Race Day in Jeddah
With Verstappen on pole and Leclerc alongside, the opening lap promises to be a blockbuster. The run to Turn 1 is short, but any hesitation could allow Perez or Russell to pounce. Tire management will be critical, especially with the high-speed nature of the Jeddah layout generating significant lateral loads on the tires.
Ferrari may look to undercut Red Bull using an aggressive early stop, while Mercedes could stretch their first stint to create opportunities during potential Safety Car interruptions—a frequent occurrence on this circuit. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, starting fifth, will also be a threat with his deep racecraft and mastery of strategy.
Technical Breakdown: Red Bull’s Speed Advantage
Red Bull’s aerodynamic efficiency on low-drag setups continues to be a decisive factor. On the Jeddah straights, Verstappen was clocked at a blistering 343 km/h, aided by a revised DRS package and upgraded rear wing spec introduced specifically for this Grand Prix. The RB20’s rear stability, even at high-speed corner exits, gave Verstappen the confidence to attack every lap.
Post-Qualifying Reactions
Verstappen hailed his qualifying lap as “one of the cleanest” of the season, praising the team’s execution and focus on setup refinement after struggling with rear-end grip during Friday practice. Leclerc, while visibly frustrated, remained optimistic about race pace, stating, “We’re closer than we thought, and if there’s a chance to attack into Turn 1, I’ll take it.”
Sergio Perez acknowledged the complexity of managing traffic in Q3 but believes starting from third opens doors for alternate strategies. “We’re in the fight—anything can happen here,” he noted.
Grid Penalties and Adjustments
Logan Sargeant received a three-place grid drop for impeding Lance Stroll during Q1, while Haas confirmed no gearbox change was needed for Hulkenberg after a scare in Q2. Norris’s car, however, will require a full rebuild, and the team has yet to confirm if any power unit components will be changed that could result in further penalties.
What to Expect on Race Day
Given Jeddah’s reputation for chaotic races, strategic flexibility, clean overtakes, and safety car timing will be pivotal. Verstappen will aim to build a lead early, but Leclerc and Perez are poised to capitalize on any misstep. Mercedes’ long-run pace, coupled with Alonso’s threat from P5, sets the stage for a multi-team battle at the front.
