Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will start the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 15th place but none of his rivals were ruling out the Formula One championship leader fighting for victory on Sunday.
The double world champion was sidelined by a sudden driveshaft failure in qualifying on Saturday after dominating every practice session.
Mexican team mate Sergio Perez will start from the top slot instead, for the second year in a row in Jeddah, but mindful that a safety car interlude wrecked his chances in 2022 when Verstappen won.
The Dutch driver started fourth that time.
“I think tomorrow, there is no doubt that he will be on the podium, probably, minimum,” said Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, who starts on the front row….