Max Verstappen claims Saudi GP Pole as Norris crashes out

Max Verstappen claimed a stunning pole position for the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, edging out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by a razor-thin 0.001 seconds under the Jeddah lights, as Lando Norris crashed out of Q3 and will start 10th.

Verstappen’s pole lap—his second of the season—came after a dramatic Q3 session that saw Norris slam into the wall at Turn 5, bringing out a red flag and halting early flying laps for several top drivers.

How Q3 Unfolded: Chaos, Red Flags, and Milliseconds

Piastri was the only driver to complete a timed lap before Norris lost control over the kerbs at Turns 4 and 5, his McLaren sliding sideways into the wall. The crash forced the session to pause, leaving many drivers with just one shot at pole.

When the track went green again, Verstappen—on scrubbed tyres—posted a lap that was just 0.001s faster than Piastri’s benchmark. He then swapped to fresh rubber and delivered a blistering first sector (+0.123s), which proved just enough to hold off the Aussie despite Piastri’s quicker middle and final sectors.

Verstappen: “I definitely didn't expect to be on pole here... The car came alive at night. Around here, a qualifying lap is extremely difficult. It’s really satisfying.”

Norris Crash Leaves McLaren with Work to Do

Championship leader Lando Norris will start P10 after crashing out mid-way through Q3. The Brit, who leads Piastri by 3 points and Verstappen by 8 in the standings, was visibly frustrated:

Norris: “Disappointed but I’m fine. I just misjudged the chicane. The team have a lot of work to do now.”

Reactions from the Paddock

• Oscar Piastri: “Max did a good job. Our pace is strong, and tyre wear could play into our hands with softer compounds this year.”
• George Russell: “Mixed feelings... I think there was more in the car. Maybe we missed a trick by not copying Red Bull's tyre strategy post-red flag.”
• Lewis Hamilton: “P7 is OK. I’ve been nowhere all weekend. I still need to find a rhythm with this car.”

Looking Ahead: Race Day in Jeddah

With soft tyres expected to degrade quickly under the Saudi heat, race strategy and tyre management will be crucial. Can Norris charge through the field and salvage points? Will Verstappen convert pole into victory? And can Piastri finally clinch his maiden F1 win?

SportsLigue