Saudi Arabian GP: What is the Starting Order of the F1 Grid After Latest Max Verstappen Penalty Update?

The starting lineup for the inaugural Saudi Arabian F1 Grand Prix is set following the intense three-round qualifying session on Saturday. Lewis Hamilton crossed the first-ever chequered flag in the Jeddah circuit with a lap time of 1:27:511 minute. To his delight, Valtteri Bottas came in one-tenths slower to him and ensured the first-row lockup for the Silver Arrows team.

However, Red Bull star Max Verstappen will be looking forward to spoiling their party, as he sits 3rd on the grid two places ahead of his teammate, Sergio Perez. But the Dutchman was under a threat of taking a grid penalty after he suffered a crash on the final corner of his flying lap in Q3. However, the team made it clear that Verstappen’s car will not undergo a gearbox change an hour ago, thus not taking a grid penalty.

Quickest in the first two sectors of his final flying lap

And then Max Verstappen’s hopes of pole are dashed on the last corner in Q3 #SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Y6HyMjT1Dy

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 4, 2021

Starting grid for the Jeddah F1 Grand Prix

The intense qualifying session on Saturday was a depiction of how thrilling the main race would be. Nevertheless, with no penalties in place the starting grid for the Sunday race would look like this:

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes
Max Verstappen, Red Bull
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Sergio Perez, Red Bull
Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri
Lando Norris, McLaren
Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri
Esteban Ocon, Alpine
Antonio Giovinazzi, Alfa Romeo
Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren
Kimi Räikkönen, Alfa Romeo
Fernando Alonso, Alpine
George Russell, Williams
Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
Nicholas Latifi, Williams
Sebastian Vettel, Aston Martin
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
Mick Schumacher, Haas
Nikita Mazepin, Haas

STARTING GRID: SAUDI ARABIA

Lewis on pole

Max directly behind him in P3

You don’t want to miss Lights Out on Sunday!#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/MGZm3nyypY

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 4, 2021

Saudi Arabian Grand Prix timings

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah will begin at 8:30 PM local time and 5:30 PM GMT.

UK: Fans in the United Kingdom can watch the race live at 5:30 PM GMT on Sky Sports F1.

US: Fans in the United States can watch the live-action at 12:30 PM ET on the ESPN network.

Will @Max33Verstappen be crowned champion in Saudi Arabia on Sunday?

Here is how it *could* happen on race day in Jeddah #SaudiArabianGP #HistoryAwaits pic.twitter.com/E3k2uM7VoP

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 5, 2021

Needless to say, this race would be an ecstatic one and surely a nail-bitter. However, Tell us how excited are you about this penultimate thriller.

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