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F1 starting grid: Sergio Pérez claims pole position in qualifying at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Formula One racing is headed to Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. We’ll update qualifying until the full racing grid is set for Sunday’s race at Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

A general view showing Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 17, 2023 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Q3 update: Lance Stroll, Esteban Ocon, Lewis Hamilton, Oscar Piastri, and Pierre Gasly, had the slowest times in Q3 and will start in positions 6 through 10 in the Grand Prix. Sergio Perez earned pole position, followed by Charles LeClerc, Fernando Alonso, George Russell, and Carlos Sainz.

Q2 update: Nico Hulkenberg, Zhou Guanyu, Kevin Magnussen, Valtteri Bottas, and Max Verstappen had the slowest times in Q2 and will start in positions 11 through 15 on Sunday. Verstappen had an engine problem and did not finish.

Q1 update: Yuki Tsunoda, Alexander Albon, Nyck De Vries, , Kevin Magnussen, Lando Norris, and Logan Sargeant had the slowest times in Q1 and will start in the final five positions for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Formula One racing has arrived in Jeddah this weekend for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The race will take place on Sunday at Jeddah Circuit, with the green flag dropping at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN. It will be available for live stream at WatchESPN.

The day prior, qualifying will take place at 1 p.m. ET and air on ESPNEWS. The 20 drivers will face off for an hour of racing to establish the fastest time and secure pole position. F1 qualifying is broken up into three stages. The first 20 minutes will eliminate five drivers and the next 15 minutes will eliminate five more. That will leave the remaining ten competing for pole position in Sunday’s race.

Max Verstappen entered race week as a heavy favorite to win at DraftKings Sportsbook with -225 odds. He was followed by teammate Sergio Pérez at +550 and Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso at +900. There was a drop from there to Carlos Sainz at +1600.

Here is the full entry list for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as qualifying gets underway. We’ll provide updates with each driver’s time and how the starting lineup settles.

2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix starting grid

Pos Driver Car #
Pos Driver Car #
1 Sergio Perez 11
2 Charles Leclerc 16
3 Fernando Alonso 14
4 George Russell 63
5 Carlos Sainz 55
6 Lance Stroll 18
7 Esteban Ocon 31
8 Lewis Hamilton 44
9 Oscar Piastri 81
10 Pierre Gasly 10
11 Nico Hulkenberg 27
12 Zhou Guanyu 24
13 Kevin Magnussen 20
14 Valtteri Botas 77
15 Max Verstappen 1
16 Yuki Tsunoda 22
17 Alex Albon 23
18 Nyck De Vries 21
19 Lando Norris 4
20 Logan Sargeant 2