Perez Takes 2nd Straight Pole in Jeddah. Full Qualifying Results

   




     I love F1 night races, seeing the sparks fly under the lights is beautiful. This is the 3rd time F1 has raced at this track in Jeddah and the previous 2 times have been eventful and entertaining. I like this track, it's a fast street circuit that allows for overtakes, what else can you ask for. 

Q1 

    Q1 was ugly for a few drivers. De Vries and Alonso both spun out on their first attempt at a time. Alonso was able to get a lap together to get into Q2 but De Vries was knocked out. Logan Sargeant caused a brief yellow flag after losing a time for exceeding track limits. Logan ultimately stopped on track with his last attempt for a time and was knocked out of qualifying. Norris failed to get out of Q1 after hitting the wall on turn 27 and couldn't get back out on track to get another lap in. Piastri made it out of Q1 for the first time in his young rookie season after missing in Bahrain. 


Q2

    The biggest story of Q2 was Verstappen slowing down on track with an apparent drive shaft problem, he could not get out of 3rd gear. He made it to the pits but he couldn't get back on track and retired the car. Max will be starting the race on Sunday in P15, which means a podium is not out of the question. Piastri continued his tremendous second qualifying session finishing 10th fastest and getting into Q3. Hulkenberg was looking at his second straight Q3 appearance but Pierre Gasly put in a time that was 10th fastest at the last minute to knock Hulk out of qualifying.



Q3. 

    Leclerc had a very good Q2 finishing in P2 but he will be serving a 10 grid spot penalty for the race tomorrow. Alonso continued his excellent 2023 season going third fastest and his teamamate Lance stroll finished with a strong P6. Aston Martin continues to be the best Mercedes powered team this year, Russell need up 4th fastest and Hamilton was down in P8 after Q2. Perez took full advantage of his teammates misfortune and took his second straight pole position in Jeddah.

The final grid order before penalties applied:

1. Perez

2. Leclerc

3. Alonso 

4. Russ

5. Sainz

6. Stroll

7. Ocon

8.Ham

9. Gasly

10. Piastri

11. Hulkenberg

12. Zhou

13. Magnessun

14. Bottas

15. Verstappen

16. Tsunoda

17. Albon

18. De Vries

19. Norris

20. Sargeant

Leclerc will be starting from P12 on Sunday.

Qualifying Winners and Losers

   Obviously, the biggest loser of Saturday qualifying was Lando Norris. Fresh off his embarrassing 6 stop race in Bahrain, Lando clipped the wall on the final turn and knocked his McLaren out of qualifying. He will start P19. Max Verstappen had an uncharacteristically bad qualifying, his Red Bull had a drive train issue that knocked him out of Q2 and he will be starting P15.

    Unlike his teammate, Oscar Piastri was able to bounce back from a forgettable debut in Bahrain by getting into Q2 and Q3 for the first time in his career. An extra week for Lance Stroll to recover from his injuries and get closer to 100% has paid dividends, Stroll taking his Aston Martin to P6 and will start P5 in tomorrows race. Alpine had some question marks after Bahrain but the were able to get both cars into Q3, with Ocon getting P7 and Gasly getting P9. It will be a disappointing result if both drivers don't score points tomorrow.

Sunday Predictions

    Unlike last year, I think Perez will win from pole position. Red Bull has been the fastest car on the grid and barring any technical issues I don't think anyone will be able to catch Perez. I think Alonso will collect his second straight podium and the 100th of his amazing career. In p3, I think Max will claw hs way up from p15 and pick off both Ferrari's, both Mercedes and the rest of the field to have a battle with Alonso late in the race for 2nd place. Should be a good race tomorrow night in Saudi Arabia.

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