2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Starting Order

The highly anticipated 2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying session delivered a thrilling spectacle under the lights of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Red Bull’s reigning world champion, Max Verstappen, once again asserted his dominance, securing a commanding provisional pole position. His sensational lap time of 1’27.472 placed him comfortably ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and his Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, setting the stage for an electrifying race on Saturday.

The Jeddah Corniche Circuit is renowned for its high-speed, flowing layout, demanding absolute precision and bravery from the drivers. With its narrow confines and unforgiving walls, any mistake can prove costly, making qualifying a true test of nerve and skill. The nocturnal setting adds another layer of challenge and visual drama, as the cars hurtle through the illuminated street circuit at breathtaking speeds.

Verstappen’s performance was a masterclass in car control and raw pace. From the early stages of qualifying, it was clear he was a cut above the rest, consistently finding time where others struggled. His RB20, powered by Honda RBPT, appeared perfectly dialled in for the demands of the Jeddah track, allowing the Dutchman to push the limits with unwavering confidence. This pole position marks a strong start to the season for Verstappen, continuing his formidable form from the opening race.

Challenging Verstappen was Charles Leclerc, who demonstrated Ferrari’s significant improvements with a stellar qualifying run. Leclerc’s 1’27.791 showcased the potential of the Ferrari SF-24, placing him on the front row, just a few tenths shy of Verstappen. His performance indicates that Ferrari will be a strong contender in the race, eager to convert their qualifying pace into valuable championship points.

Sergio Perez rounded out the top three, securing a solid starting position for Red Bull. While not quite matching his teammate’s blistering pace, Perez’s 1’27.807 ensures that Red Bull will have two cars at the sharp end of the grid, a crucial advantage for strategic plays during the race. His consistent performance is vital for Red Bull’s constructors’ championship aspirations, and he will be looking to capitalise on his grid slot.

The qualifying session was not without its narratives and surprises. The absence of Carlos Sainz due to illness provided an unexpected opportunity for British prodigy Oliver Bearman to make his Formula 1 debut with Ferrari. Despite the immense pressure of stepping into a top-tier F1 car with minimal preparation, Bearman delivered an incredibly impressive performance, narrowly missing out on a Q3 spot and showcasing immense potential. His story quickly became one of the major talking points of the weekend, earning praise from across the paddock.

2024 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Grid

Row 1		1. (1) Max Verstappen 1’27.472 Red Bull-Honda RBPT RB20
	2. (16) Charles Leclerc 1’27.791 Ferrari SF-24
Row 2		3. (11) Sergio Perez 1’27.807 Red Bull-Honda RBPT RB20
	4. (14) Fernando Alonso 1’27.846 Aston Martin-Mercedes AMR24
Row 3		5. (81) Oscar Piastri 1’28.089 McLaren-Mercedes MCL38
	6. (4) Lando Norris 1’28.132 McLaren-Mercedes MCL38
Row 4		7. (63) George Russell 1’28.316 Mercedes W15
	8. (44) Lewis Hamilton 1’28.460 Mercedes W15
Row 5		9. (22) Yuki Tsunoda 1’28.547 RB-Honda RBPT 01
	10. (18) Lance Stroll 1’28.572 Aston Martin-Mercedes AMR24
Row 6		11. (38) Oliver Bearman 1’28.642 Ferrari SF-24
	12. (23) Alexander Albon 1’28.980 Williams-Mercedes FW46
Row 7		13. (20) Kevin Magnussen 1’29.020 Haas-Ferrari VF-24
	14. (3) Daniel Ricciardo 1’29.025 RB-Honda RBPT 01
Row 8		15. (27) Nico Hulkenberg No time Haas-Ferrari VF-24
	16. (77) Valtteri Bottas 1’29.179 Sauber-Ferrari C44
Row 9		17. (31) Esteban Ocon 1’29.475 Alpine-Renault A524
	18. (10) Pierre Gasly 1’29.479 Alpine-Renault A524
Row 10		19. (2) Logan Sargeant 1’29.526 Williams-Mercedes FW46
	20. (24) Zhou Guanyu No time Sauber-Ferrari C44

Further down the grid, the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso secured an impressive fourth place, demonstrating the consistent strength of the AMR24. McLaren also showed strong pace with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris qualifying fifth and sixth, respectively. Both drivers will be looking to challenge the front-runners and secure significant points for the team.

Mercedes, with George Russell in seventh and Lewis Hamilton in eighth, continued to show signs of improvement but still seem to be searching for the ultimate pace to match Red Bull and Ferrari. The midfield battle was as intense as ever, with Yuki Tsunoda putting his RB into ninth and Lance Stroll completing the top ten for Aston Martin. The close timings throughout Q1 and Q2 highlighted the competitive nature of the field, with mere hundredths of a second often determining progression.

The qualifying format itself is designed to push teams and drivers to their limits across three distinct sessions. Q1 saw the initial culling of the slowest cars, with drivers scrambling to set a representative lap. The unique challenges of Jeddah meant many pushed the limits, leading to several close calls and a few deleted lap times. Q2 further intensified the battle, as only the top ten advanced to the final shootout for pole position. This segment often reveals the true one-lap pace of each car and driver combination, and any misstep can lead to a premature exit.

Q3, the pinnacle of qualifying, was where Max Verstappen truly shone. His ability to deliver under pressure, extracting every ounce of performance from his Red Bull, was evident. Charles Leclerc’s efforts to match him were commendable, and his second-place grid slot is a testament to Ferrari’s progress. The strategic implications of these starting positions for the race are profound, particularly on a track where overtaking can be tricky but DRS zones offer opportunities. Tyre degradation and safety car periods will also play a significant role in how the race unfolds.

The entire session provided a fascinating insight into the current pecking order of Formula 1. While Red Bull and Verstappen remain the benchmark, Ferrari has clearly closed the gap, and other teams like Aston Martin and McLaren are showing strong intent. Mercedes, despite their current position, are tirelessly working to unlock the full potential of their W15 and will be a formidable force to reckon with as the season progresses.

Penalties

No penalties were announced following the qualifying session, ensuring the grid remains as set by the drivers’ performances on track. This provides clarity for all teams and fans heading into race day, allowing for straightforward strategic planning.

Investigations

There were a couple of minor incidents that attracted the attention of the stewards during qualifying. Oliver Bearman, making his debut, was investigated for failing to adhere to the race director’s maximum lap time during both Q1 and Q2. This rule is in place to prevent drivers from excessively slowing down on out-laps or cool-down laps, which can impede other cars and create dangerous situations. However, after reviewing the telemetry and circumstances, Bearman was cleared of any wrongdoing, a relief for the young driver.

Sergio Perez also faced an investigation for a similar infringement, failing to adhere to the race director’s maximum lap time. Like Bearman, the stewards ultimately cleared Perez, concluding that no rules were breached to a degree warranting a penalty. These investigations highlight the meticulous oversight by race control to ensure fair play and safety on the demanding Jeddah circuit.

Qualifying times in full

P.	Driver	Team	Q1	Q2 (v Q1)	Q3 (v Q2)
1	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	1’28.171	1’28.033 (-0.138s)	1’27.472 (-0.561s)
2	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	1’28.318	1’28.112 (-0.206s)	1’27.791 (-0.321s)
3	Sergio Perez	Red Bull	1’28.638	1’28.467 (-0.171s)	1’27.807 (-0.660s)
4	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	1’28.706	1’28.122 (-0.584s)	1’27.846 (-0.276s)
5	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	1’28.755	1’28.343 (-0.412s)	1’28.089 (-0.254s)
6	Lando Norris	McLaren	1’28.805	1’28.479 (-0.326s)	1’28.132 (-0.347s)
7	George Russell	Mercedes	1’28.749	1’28.448 (-0.301s)	1’28.316 (-0.132s)
8	Lewis Hamilton	Mercedes	1’28.994	1’28.606 (-0.388s)	1’28.460 (-0.146s)
9	Yuki Tsunoda	RB	1’28.988	1’28.564 (-0.424s)	1’28.547 (-0.017s)
10	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	1’28.250	1’28.578 (+0.328s)	1’28.572 (-0.006s)
11	Oliver Bearman	Ferrari	1’28.984	1’28.642 (-0.342s)	Missed by 0.036s
12	Alexander Albon	Williams	1’29.107	1’28.980 (-0.127s)	Missed by 0.374s
13	Kevin Magnussen	Haas	1’29.069	1’29.020 (-0.049s)	Missed by 0.414s
14	Daniel Ricciardo	RB	1’29.065	1’29.025 (-0.040s)	Missed by 0.419s
15	Nico Hulkenberg	Haas	1’29.055
16	Valtteri Bottas	Sauber	1’29.179	Missed by 0.072s
17	Esteban Ocon	Alpine	1’29.475	Missed by 0.368s
18	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	1’29.479	Missed by 0.372s
19	Logan Sargeant	Williams	1’29.526	Missed by 0.419s
20	Zhou Guanyu	Sauber

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