The Mexican secured the second pole position of his career in Jeddah, having clinched his first at the same place last year. Perez was 0.155 seconds faster than Monegasque Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari on Saturday. World champion Max Verstappen had to stop qualifying prematurely due to a technical defect.
The Dutchman’s Red Bull suddenly lost drive in the second qualifying session and couldn’t be revived quickly enough in the pits. The Dutchman, who set the best time in each of the three training sessions in Jeddah, is expected to start the race on Sunday (6 p.m./live ORF 1 and Sky) from 15th place.
Ferrari man Leclerc is penalized ten places after a change in the control electronics on the starting grid. Alongside Perez, Fernando Alonso will start the race from the front row in the Aston Martin.
