Saudi Arabian GP qualifying: Sergio Perez grabbed the first pole position of his career this weekend as his Red Bull edged the two Ferrari’s.
Saudi Arabian GP qualifying: A sensational last-minute lap in Q3 on Saturday saw Red Bull’s Sergio Perez take pole position for the first time in his F1 career. The Mexican will now start the Saudi Arabian GP ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
The big shock of the evening saw seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton fail to get into Q2 after a disappointing first session for the Mercedes star. Hamilton will start the Saudi Arabian GP in 16th place.
Saudi Arabian GP: Sergio Perez becomes first Mexican driver to start a race on pole position
Perez had looked a step behind teammate Max Verstappen, who finished P4, and the two Ferrari drivers throughout the Saudi Arabian GP weekend. The 32-year-old finished no higher than third place in any of the free practice sessions or qualifying segment.
However, with a monumental last-gasp lap in Q3, Perez pulled off a sensational run, setting the fastest 2nd and 3rd sectors to pip Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who had provisional pole. It eventually got him pole position and Perez will now become the first Mexican to start at the top of the grid in a Formula 1 race.
While speaking after getting pole position at the Jeddah qualifying session, Perez admitted that his final lap was the best he ever did. He said, “It was amazing. I think the level of risk and getting into that rhythm and precision was the key. If there is a place you want to be on pole it’s this one. Because you know you nailed the lap and you’ve got the perfect lap altogether. I could do 1000 more laps and they wouldn’t be as good as this one”
Perez waited for a whole 214 races to get pole position and also concluded by stating that his hard work paid off. ‘Checo’ will now be looking to capitalize from the start of the grid for Sunday’s race.
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