formula 1
In a turbulent qualifying session in Jeddah, Sergio Perez secured pole position for the Saudi Arabian Formula 1 Grand Prix. The Red Bull driver will start the second race of the season on Sunday (7:00 p.m. CEST) alongside Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. Qualifying on Saturday evening was overshadowed by a serious accident involving Mick Schumacher, and record champion Lewis Hamilton was eliminated surprisingly early.
Perez edged Leclerc, who won the season opener in Bahrain last week, by 0.025 seconds from first place on the grid with his last lap in the final Q3 session and thus ensured the first-ever pole for a Mexican in the motorsport premier class and the first for Red Bull Racing in 2022. “Hard work always pays off,” Perez commented on his career milestone while still in his car.
World champion Max Verstappen not only had to admit defeat to his teammate Perez, but also to the two Ferraris of Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. After his retirement in Bahrain, the Dutchman will only start the race from fourth place on the grid.
Long break following Schumacher crash
After the crash of Haas driver Schumacher in the Q2 session, qualifying was interrupted for almost an hour. The German crashed violently into the side of the track, causing massive damage to his car. According to his racing team, Schumacher did not suffer any external injuries, but was taken to a nearby clinic for further clarification. According to Sky information, the 23-year-old was traveling at 274 km/h shortly before the crash at the exit of curve 10.
Disaster for Hamilton
The seven-time world champion Hamilton had previously had to end qualifying in the first section for the first time in five years. The Brit only finished 16th in Q1, 0.087 seconds short of the top 15 necessary for the climb. “I’m so sorry, folks,” said the Mercedes driver over the team radio. In 2017 in Brazil, Hamilton was unable to set a timed lap in qualifying following an accident.
After an attack by the Houthi rebels on a refinery in Jeddah on Friday, which left a huge cloud of smoke and a great shock in the paddock, doubts were raised regarding the race in Saudi Arabia. After consultation, the collective of Formula 1 drivers, Formula 1 and the local organizer decided to go through with the Grand Prix weekend as planned.