Saudi Arabia – EL1: Verstappen already there, Alonso confirms

Winner of the first Grand Prix of the season ten days ago in Bahrain, Max Verstappen continued its good momentum by setting the best time in Free Practice 1 of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Dutchman indeed dominated his teammate Sergio Pérez, proving that Red Bull was already in the game, and in front of the car green of Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), which tends to prove that the Spaniard's podium in Bahrain was anything but an accident. 

The first half hour was limited to a two-way fight between Checo Pérez and Fernando Alonso. The two Spanish speakers in fact took and took the best lap as they got their bearings on this very particular urban circuit, while the grip became stronger and stronger each lap. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen remained quietly in the garage, when Ferrari worked on hard rubber. 

Ferrari in the tough?

And then… the Dutchman came into action mid-session to set the record straight and the times straight. His first lap was quite far from Pérez's best mark, but from his second attempt, he was half a second behind the competition. At the same time, the two Ferraris abandoned their white tires to put on the Tendres and try to join the fight. It did not happen. The clock did not panic for the two Scuderia cars since Carlos Sainz et Charles Leclerc did not even manage to climb below a second compared to Max Verstappen. 

5 mins left into # FP1, Charles and Carlos are on a long run on soft and hard tires. #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/4MPnMmxGfK

- Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 17, 2023

Does this mean that the Scuderia is in difficulty on this very particular track in Jeddah? It is obviously still too early to tell. By having changed the two engines of its two drivers, the Maranello team has undoubtedly drastically reduced the power of the Power Unit and loaded a lot of gasoline. In any case, this is to be hoped for by fans. 

ALSO READ > Engine change for the two Ferraris in Jeddah

Proof of the solidity of the Aston Martins after an extremely encouraging first Grand Prix, Lance stroll managed to get the 4th fastest time in the last minutes, 0 behind the Canadian. The hierarchy continues to take shape behind since George Russell and Lewis Hamilton ranked 5th and 6th, almost at the same time.

On the track, the British veteran complained a lot about the lack of grip of his Mercedes, even though he spent most of his time on hard tires. Just behind, we can see a group shot between Carlos Sainz, 7th, and Esteban Ocon, 12th, with Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon et Yuki tsunoda standing in just two small tenths. Meet at 18 p.m. French time for Free Practice 2.