Who starts where for the 2022 F1 Saudi Arabian GP? The full grid
This is how the Formula 1 grid lines up for the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with Red Bull's Sergio Perez starting on pole position for the first time in his career from Ferrari duo Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
2022 F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - STARTING GRID | |||
Pos. | Driver | Nat. | Team |
1 | Sergio Perez | MEX | Oracle Bull Racing |
2 | Charles Leclerc | MON | Scuderia Ferrari |
3 | Carlos Sainz | ESP | Scuderia Ferrari |
4 | Max Verstappen | NED | Oracle Red Bull Racing |
5 | Esteban Ocon | FRA | BWT Alpine F1 Team |
6 | George Russell | GBR | Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team |
7 | Fernando Alonso | ESP | BWT Alpine F1 Team |
8 | Valtteri Bottas | FIN | Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen |
9 | Pierre Gasly | FRA | Scuderia AlphaTauri |
10 | Kevin Magnussen | DEN | Haas F1 Team |
11 | Lando Norris | GBR | McLaren F1 Team |
12 | Guanyu Zhou | CHN | Alfa Romeo F1 Team Orlen |
13 | Lance Stroll | CAN | Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team |
14 | Daniel Ricciardo | AUS | McLaren F1 Team |
15 | Lewis Hamilton | GBR | Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team |
16 | Alexander Albon | THA | Williams Racing |
17 | Nico Hulkenberg | GER | Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team |
18 | Nicholas Latifi | CAN | Williams Racing |
19 | Yuki Tsunoda | JPN | Scuderia AlphaTauri |
After an 11-year wait, Perez will line up on pole position for the first time in his F1 career.
The Mexican admitted afterwards that if he had 1000 more attempts to beat his pole lap, he wouldn't be able to do so.
Perez will go in search of his third career victory with the two Ferraris right behind him on the grid.
Red Bull's straight-line speed advantage will continue to be a threat on race day but the fact that Ferrari has more downforce should mean it can look after its tyres better.
Reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen could only manage after fourth after struggling to get his tyres into the right window in Q3.
The battle behind the top four is intriguing with Esteban Ocon qualifying fifth ahead of George Russell in the lead Mercedes.
Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas, Pierre Gasly and Kevin Magnussen will be hopeful of a big points haul after qualifying inside the top 10.
Daniel Ricciardo was a hit with a three-place grid penalty after impeding Esteban Ocon, dropping him to 14th on the grid.
Lewis Hamilton will start the race from 15th after failing to make Q2 for the first time since 2017.
Haas announced on Saturday night that it will run only one car in the grand prix after Mick Schumacher's heavy shunt in Q2, meaning there will be only 19 cars on the grid.