Mexican driver Sergio Pérez of Red Bull will take pole for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this Sunday on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The run to the title may be long, but Pérez will lead the grid, with Spaniard Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin starting from second after a strong pace in practice and qualifying. Dutchman Max Verstappen, aiming for a third consecutive championship, will begin from the back half of the field, 15th on the grid, in a race that promises drama from the very start.
Verstappen, who led the weekend with speed, encountered trouble when an axle shaft separated from his Red Bull during practice, forcing him into an early exit in Q2. Pérez did not miss a beat, clinching his second pole in just over a year in Formula 1, a moment that mirrored his first pole in the same scenario a season earlier. Alonso took advantage of a ten-place grid penalty for Charles Leclerc after Ferrari changed its control unit, moving up several spots and seizing a prime starting position.
Two Sundays ago in Bahrain, Alonso showed a renewed vigor at age 41, finishing third in his first race with Aston Martin and earning his 99th podium in the premier class. The track in Jeddah offers a very different set of challenges than Sakhir, and Alonso, a two-time world champion, appears ready to push his team toward a competitive result again this weekend. He finds himself in a position to challenge the leaders, as Red Bull’s pace remains formidable, yet the Spaniard believes the car could deliver an audacious result if everything aligns.
Jeddah hosts the weekend’s drama with the grid reshuffled and the title fight open. Alonso, approaching his 51st birthday, celebrated a front-row start that aligns with Aston Martin’s rising status under team principal Mike Krack, who comes from Luxembourg. The grid includes notable names as the race looms, and the tension between the teams adds another layer of intrigue as the season’s schedule advances.
From pole position, Pérez will chase his fifth win of the season after delivering a sharp lap in Q3. He clocked a competitive time on the Red Sea coast, finishing narrowly ahead of Leclerc, with penalties having reshuffled the order behind. Alonso sits second, having qualified ahead of others including Russell in third for Mercedes. The midfield and tail of the grid feature a variety of manufacturers and drivers ready to pounce if a mistake shakes the front runners.
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin’s Canadian driver, will start from the third row, flanked by Esteban Ocon of Alpine. Behind them are Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and McLaren’s rising star Oscar Piastri, who marked a strong performance in qualifying.
Hamilton, at 38, marks the second-oldest driver on the grid and is set to celebrate the 16th anniversary of his Formula 1 debut in Australia. That milestone reminds observers of the enduring period of success he has enjoyed, including multiple-podium finishes and a long list of memorable moments throughout his career. The weekend in Jeddah is also a reminder that Verstappen and Alonso have consistently demonstrated racecraft that challenges the established order, pushing everyone to elevate their level.
Verstappen remains a clear favorite to reclaim the top spot and to challenge for victory after a difficult qualifying session that dropped him far down the order. Alonso, with a car that feels in rhythm and a strategist’s eye on the race, will be ready to apply pressure and exploit any opportunity that arises as the Grand Prix unfolds on a track known for speed and overtaking opportunities.
The event is a test of endurance and precision, with many drivers aware that a single mistake can alter outcomes across the 50-lap schedule. In a city where racing fervor meets modern engineering, teams will be pushing to maximize performance through every sector and corner. As the lights go out, fans can expect an unpredictable race where strategy, tire management, and pace will all play pivotal roles in shaping the final results.
The Saudi Grand Prix keeps delivering surprises, and this year’s edition is no exception. The dynamics of the starting grid, penalties, and the sheer speed of the cars set the stage for a race that could redefine the championship outlook. The competition extends beyond mere speed, encompassing reliability, setup balance, and the ability to extract maximum performance under a variety of conditions. As teams dial in their plans, spectators await a compelling chapter in a season that has already produced dramatic moments, close battles, and a mix of veteran brilliance and fresh talent.