Qualifying for the Saudi Arabian GP was incredibly intense between Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri and George Russell. The three drivers battled for pole, setting close lap times one after another at the end of the Q3 session.
The top three were separated by just over a tenth of a second, with Verstappen managing to set the fastest lap. The World Champion reacted to his new lap record after the session.
Second pole position of 2025
Verstappen’s pole position for the Saudi Arabian GP marks his second of the 2025 season. His other pole came in Suzuka, where the World Champion took pole from the McLarens at the end of Q3.
After the qualifying session in Jeddah, Verstappen reacted to his pole so far this season.
“Every pole lap is a bit different, actually.
This track, you need a lot of commitment. It is very enjoyable to drive when the car is also giving you that confidence.”
Claiming pole position has been incredibly important so far in the 2025 F1 season. Of the four races so far, they have all been won by the driver who achieved pole during qualifying.
Regarding what contributed to his successful pole position for the Saudi Arabian GP, Verstappen spoke about the team’s setup changes.
“I think with the changes that we made into qualifying, it allowed me to be a bit more comfortable.”
Strong turnaround after struggles in Free Practice
Though he showed an impressive performance in qualifying, Red Bull have had a tough weekend in Jeddah so far.
Yuki Tsunoda struggled in FP2 yesterday, crashing out of the session. By the end of FP3, Verstappen was eight tenths off the McLaren of Piastri. The team’s luck turned around, with both drivers making it into Q3.
Verstappen reacted to the team’s progression throughout qualifying which contributed to his success at the end of the session.
“What was just nice, again, was the improvements that we were making throughout qualifying. Q1, Q2, Q3, just every time a little bit faster.
The team was helping me as well with some corners where I was not entirely happy yet, just finding a little bit more lap time. Of course, very proud that we were able to put it on pole again.”
Verstappen spoke on how dominant McLaren looked in the earlier practice session. He shared that despite the fact that Red Bull have stepped up, they still have more to improve under different conditions.
“Just compared to what most of the teams have, like FP3, McLaren was so far ahead that I think no one really thought that it was possible to beat them. So it still shows, of course, our limitations. But then in the night, when everything cools down a bit more, we are more competitive.”
Expectations for the race
In the history of the four Saudi Arabian GP races in Jeddah, three of the pole sitters have gone to claim victory. Verstappen’s odds of winning are therefore looking good.
Despite this, Verstappen is not expecting an easy win, especially with the challenging conditions that come with racing at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
“Now, tomorrow is another story. In the race, when the temperatures are, again, hot on the tyres, when you’re on your stint, it will be tough. We are going to give it everything we have.”
Though pleased with his impressive qualifying performance and the team’s changes, Verstappen still seems weary of the strong McLaren race pace.
“Mainly keeping them behind, actually, because they have been so fast in all the race runs so far this weekend compared to any other team. Now I do feel a bit better with what we have done to the car, but I’m not sure it’s going to be enough. But that’s the exciting bit.”
“We don’t fully understand or fully know what is going to happen and the only thing that I do know is that I will give it everything.”
