Red Bull Racing Mexican driver Sergio Perez finally scored his first pole position of his 215-race Formula 1 career at the end of a dramatic night of qualifying at the 2022 Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver produced a superb final lap at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit to pip the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, who had looked on course for a second straight pole after his flawless win in the first round of the 2022 Formula 1 season at the Bahrain International circuit and had set the fastest times in all three practice sessions here.
Charles Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz qualified third, with reigning world champion Max Verstappen only able to secure fourth spot in the other Red Bull for tomorrow’s race.
Scuderia Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto appeared very calm and relaxed at the end of a Saturday very full of emotions, especially after the scary crash of Mick Schumacher who is part of the Maranello family as a reserve driver (together with Antonio Giovinazzi). The F1-75 continues to convince, being able to adapt to an atypical and very fast street track, on which the search for the ideal set-up is essential to achieve a good result.
“The difference is very small, a few thousandths. I think the first position could have been ours, but it doesn’t matter. We are very happy to be second and third and even more to be competitive – the Ferrari team principal immediately underlined – On another track, other than Sakhir, we proved fast and it was what we expected. We have seen three circuits so far and the car has always performed well. We are happy, the F1-75 is a versatile car that can adapt well. The drivers are able to exploit it and it is a good starting point.” – he explained.
Mattia Binotto then focused on the duel with Red Bull: “Here they chose a lighter configuration. We are faster in the corners, they are faster on the straights: I’m curious to see what will happen in the race. We will probably suffer less from tire degradation, but speed on the straight will certainly be an element that will help them. Here, however, we know anything can happen. Red flags, Safety Cars… It will be important not to make mistakes and try to take advantage of every opportunity ”.
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An aspect of fundamental importance will be the strategies: “First of all the choice of tires, but also knowing how to react to situations – explained Mattia Binotto – We have two cars in front in the first and second row, they will have them too, but the others are also in the race. We will have to be ready, reactive and concentrated ”.
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