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United States F1 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2021 - Qualifying LIVE! Latest updates, news, strategies, TV channel
Max Verstappen crashed into the wall in the final turn of his final run on Formula One’s newest circuit, handing the front row for the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes.
Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, jumped to the top of the qualifying board with about 80 seconds remaining in Saturday’s session. Valtteri Bottas, his Mercedes teammate, then moved to second.
It gave the current championship leader one final lap around the high-speed course to try to claim pole.
The Dutchman went wide in the second turn and nearly brushed the wall, but held it together and was well on course to snatch pole with a stunning lap. But he locked up his front wheel on the final corner and hit the wall, bringing an end to the session and his hopes of pole.
He will start third, with Mercedes landing a potentially crucial blow in both title races by taking the front-row.
After a stunning drive to take victory from tenth on the grid in Brazil, Hamilton backed it up in Qatar as he continued his charge at the world championship.
He shows no signs of letting up...
“I don’t really know what happened. I locked up, tried to keep the car on the track finish the lap but I clipped the rear and had to stop.
“P3 is a bit disappointing but nevertheless, it shows that the car is quick and let’s see what we can do in the race.”
Bottas is leaving Mercedes after next week’s race in Abu Dhabi, but he is doing everything he can to help them before he does.
“Of course, I want to get a race win but first thing’s first we need to focus on the team championship,” Bottas said.
“Lewis is still fighting for the title, I’m not, so I’ll do my best with whatever I can and at the same time I’ll try to enjoy.”
“Wow. What a tough track this is. Incredibly technical and complex. It’s amazing what they have built, the speed, it’s phenomenal.
“We were quick through practice but particularly FP3 and qualifying, we were struggling with the pace and the tyres, so for us to get a one-two, really proud of Valtteri and the team. It’s a great result.
“This was the goal. We have worked so hard through simulations and set-up and the collaboration with Valtteri - he’s the best team-mate there has ever been in this sport. We’ve worked together to get where we need to be.
“Given where we were, I’m grateful for what we have got today.”
That’s Hamilton’s fifth pole of 2021, and it’s the most important one of the season. Could be huge in the title battle.
Hamilton, Bottas, Verstappen, Leclerc, Perez, Gasly, Norris, Tsunoda, Ocon, Giovinazzi. That’s how it finishes.
Mercedes have control of the front-row tomorrow. Brilliant evening for them.
Incredible drama. The Dutchman put everything into that lap, and he was a corner away from taking pole.
But he locked his front wheel on the way into the final corner, and he slams into the wall. That could have caused damage to the car, could have a major impact on tomorrow’s race. And the championship.
LEWIS HAMILTON IS ON POLE.
Verstappen was so close to hitting the wall, he’s pushing so hard. All on this lap, and he is absolutely flying.
He’s surely going to take pole.... NO!! VERSTAPPEN HITS THE WALL!
The final corner, and he has hit the wall. Unbelievable.
