F1 Jeddah GP Preview: Max’s Troubled Engine Gives Alonso a Fighting Chance

During the Saturday qualifying session, Verstappen had an engine blowout.

F1 returns tonight for its second round of the 2023 season at the Jeddah Corniche circuit. After a scintillating first race for Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who finished in third position at the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Spaniard has a chance to win tonight's round.

Max’s engine blowout

Saturday turned out to be a tough day for reigning world champion Max Verstappen, whose Red Bull ride had an engine issue because of which, he was knocked out of the qualifying session. Tonight, he starts from the rear of the grid in the 15th position.

Explaining the issue with the car, Verstappen said, "The driveshaft broke ... It was annoying because the car was good up until then, I was comfortable in every session, and every time I was on the track, I was quick, so for sure we could have fought for pole."

A mixed mid-table

Despite issues with the car, Mercedes' George Russell put on a great show yesterday to grab the third position, whereas Sainz is in the fourth, Stroll in the fifth, and Ocon in the sixth. Hamilton will start from the seventh, whereas Piastri will make a surprising start from the eighth. Sergio Perez, on the other hand, has secured his second consecutive pole in the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix at Jeddah.

Gasly starts from the ninth position, whereas returnee Nico Hulkenberg put on another brilliantperformance in his slow-paced Haas to grab the 10th spot. Sadly, Leclerc, who is supposed to fight for the title, has slipped to the 12th position because of his 10-place grid penalty, which he received for changing two engine units during the Bahrain Grand Prix.