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FROM THE ENVIENT TO GEDDA. Charles Leclerc and Ferrari are in splendid shape awaiting qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (6pm, live on Sky). The Monegasque driver set the best time in all three free practice sessions, a dominance not seen since the 2019 Italian GP.
In free thirds on the high-speed street circuit in Jeddah, the F1-75 crossed the finish line in 1’29”735, ahead of the Red Bulls of Max Verstappen, 33 thousandths behind, and Sergio Perez (98 thousandths), and by teammate Carlos Sainz (0 ” 274). The championship thus increasingly confirms itself as a challenge between two drivers and two teams.
From fifth place down it’s all a surprise: behind the two top teams is Bottas with Alfa Romeo, much faster than Hamilton’s Mercedes which is only 11th. In sixth position we find Gasly (AlphaTauri), followed by Magnussen (Haas), Alonso (Alpine) and Tsunoda (AlphaTauri).
At 6pm, F1 returns to the track for qualifying for the Saudi Arabian GP.
On the missile attack from Yemen that yesterday (Friday) destroyed an oil plant of Aramco, the main sponsor of Formula 1, Mattia Binotto explains the decision to race anyway. “The drivers got together, there were concerns that needed to be converted into discussions – said the Ferrari team principal -. We have received the assurance that everything will be done safely and that there are no risks. There were no reasons to leave the country ».