Max Verstappen got his title defence off to a flying start in Bahrain, leading a comfortable Red Bull one-two finish as he attempts to win a third successive championship in a row.
However, things did not go his way in Saturday’s qualifying for the second race of the season, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, retiring from Q2 with a driveshaft failure. He will start down in 15th.
His team-mate Sergio Perez took pole and will start ahead of Fernando Alonso and George Russell for Sunday’s grand prix.
When is it?
The 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix runs from Friday March 17 until Sunday March 19.
What time do the sessions start?
Friday, March 17
First practice – 1.30pm GMT
Second practice – 5pm
Saturday, March 18
Third practice – 1.30pm
Qualifying – 5pm
Sunday, March 19
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – 5pm
What were the times after qualifying?
- Sergio Perez (Mex) Red Bull 1min 28.265secs
- Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:28.420
- Fernando Alonso (Spa) Aston Martin 1:28.730
- George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:28.857
- Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spa) Ferrari 1:28.931
- Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin 1:28.945
- Esteban Ocon (Fra) Alpine 1:29.078
- Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:29.223
- Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren 1:29.243
- Pierre Gasly (Fra) Alpine 1:29.357
- Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) MoneyGram Haas F1 1:29.451
- Guanyu Zhou (Chn) Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake 1:29.461
- Kevin Magnussen (Den) MoneyGram Haas F1 1:29.517
- Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake 1:29.668
- Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1:49.953
- Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:29.939
- Alexander Albon (Tha) Williams 1:29.994
- Nyck de Vries (Ned) Scuderia AlphaTauri 1:30.244
- Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:30.447
- Logan Sargeant (USA) Williams 2:08.510
What TV channel is it on?
Sky Sports F1 have near-exclusive live coverage rights in the UK this year and indeed for the next few with their usual excellent team.
Sky’s qualifying program starts at 4pm GMT on Saturday, with their race coverage at 3.30pm on Sunday.
Channel 4 also have extended highlights coverage this year. Their qualifying coverage begins at 8.50pm GMT on Saturday with race highlights from 10.15pm the following day.
What do we know about the Jeddah Corniche Circuit?
- Circuit length: 6.174km
- First grand prix: 2021
- Laps: 50
- Race distance: 308.45km
- Lap record: 1:30.734 (Lewis Hamilton, 2021)
- Number of corners: 27
- Overtaking chances: It was an unknown before the inaugural race in November 2021, but in the end the final result was that it was possible, especially at the first run of corners. The duel between Verstappen and Leclerc shows that a game of ‘DRS chicken’ cannot be ruled out, although the DRS zones have been tweaked slightly as well as a few other changes on the track.
What are the current standings?
Drivers: top 10
Constructors:
What are the latest odds?
- Sergio Perez 21/20
- Max Verstappen 11/8
- Fernando Alonso 5/1
- George Russell 25/1
- Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc 50/1
Source: telegraph.co.uk