Saudi Arabia – EL1: Hamilton strikes first in Jeddah, Verstappen on the lookout

In Jeddah, the author of the first chronometric reference in history is called Lewis Hamilton. With a W12 still in good shape and surely equipped with the engine used in Brazil three weeks ago, the seven-time world champion dominated the session with a best lap of 1’29”786.

In a session where the watchword was “discovery”, the drivers did not hesitate to take to the track and in particular Max Verstappen. Impatient to discover this new track, the Dutchman was one of the first to do the fast laps and set the pace. On hard tires, the championship leader dominated the session and even managed to take the lead with a mark of 1'30"014 while the Mercedes were rather discreet with Lewis Hamilton relegated to half a second and a Valtteri Bottas pushed back more than 9 tenths.

But now, the Silver Arrows woke up in the second part of the session, starting with Valtteri Bottas. Increasingly comfortable on the Jeddah corniche, the Finn took control by blowing the best time from Max Verstappen by only 5 thousandths. Then came Lewis Hamilton, more energetic in the last half hour of this EL1.

Wearing soft tyres, the Englishman lit the first and third sectors green and set the best time in the second to dislodge his teammate from the lead of the session. On his screen, the time displayed was 1’29”786. Enough to wake up Max Verstappen who started again on soft without improving his rival's mark, thus settling for 2nd place at 56 thousandths.

Jump onboard for a lap of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with your guide @Max33Verstappen 🎥#SaudiArabianGP (I.e. #F1 pic.twitter.com/bxFVMphEhE

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 3, 2021

Behind this leading trio, we find the regulars starting with Pierre Gasly, solid 4th, and both Ferrari with Carlos Sainz 6th just ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc. The surprise comes from the side ofAlfa Romeo and Antonio Giovinazzi who set an astonishing 5th time just over half a second behind Lewis Hamilton. Daniel Ricciardo, Fernando Alonso et Sebastian Vettel completed the Top 10.

Outside of the Top 10, nothing significant to note except the 11th place of Sergio Pérez with his RB16B. The pilot Red Bull will have to increase the pace to help his team but also his teammate Max Verstappen in the fight for the title. Thirteenth in Jeddah, Lando Norris will also have to wake up for the battle for 5th place among the Drivers against Charles Leclerc.

More information coming soon ...