- Seven-time world champion struggles with his car in qualifying
- Mick Schumacher airlifted to hospital for checks following crash
Sergio Pérez claimed pole for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the first of his career, with a fine run for Red Bull. However, in a reminder of sport’s role as cruel mistress his joy stood in stark contrast to Lewis Hamilton’s disappointment as he suffered an exceptionally rare early exit in a session that was extensively delayed after Mick Schumacher suffered a horrific high-speed crash.
Mercedes’ early season woes multiplied for Hamilton as he managed only 16th place, his worst qualifying on pace alone since the British GP in 2009. If he is to fight for the title this year the scale of the mountain he has to climb was made painfully clear in Saudi Arabia. Charles Leclerc was in second for Ferrari with his teammate Carlos Sainz in third and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in fourth.
Written by Giles Richards
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/mar/26/f1-drivers-still-concerned-qualifying-saudi-gp-missile-strike-fire under the title “Lewis Hamilton has shock exit in Q1 while Pérez claims pole”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
