ANOTHER POLE POSITION FOR VERSTAPPEN WITH CHECO PEREZ THIRD

Meanwhile, Alpine faces mounting challenges, echoing their performance woes from Bahrain, as both Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly failed to progress beyond Q1. This continued struggle underscores Alpine's current position as the team facing the most significant hurdles at this early stage of the championship.

Ferrari, missing Carlos Sainz for this Grand Prix, saw Oliver Bearman stepping in. The 18-year-old Brit showed promise, narrowly missing out on Q3 and nearly besting Hamilton, who interestingly is set to take Sainz's seat in 2025. This leaves Bearman to start from the eleventh position, just shy of making it into the top ten.

As the grid lines up for the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix, Sergio Perez is in a challenging position to overcome, with both Verstappen and Leclerc ahead, making for an anticipated race day as he aims for the top spot.

Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying Results

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 1:27.427

2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

3. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

6. Lando Norris (McLaren)

7. George Russell (Mercedes)

8. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

9. Yuki Tsunoda (RB)

10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

11. Oliver Bearman (Ferrari)

12. Alex Albon (Williams)

13. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

14. Daniel Ricciardo (RB)

15. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)

16. Valtteri Bottas (Sauber)

17. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

18. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)

19. Logan Sargeant (Williams)

20. Zhou Guanyu (Sauber)