Even from 15th, Verstappen remains a big threat

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.

"Like Fernando says, so many things can happen in a race, you know, but I do expect him to come back," agreed Perez, who said he would focus on his own race rather than the 'lion behind'.

Mercedes driver George Russell, who qualified third on a circuit where overtaking is relatively easy, expected to see Verstappen in his mirrors.

"When you've got a car that quick you can kind of do whatever you want," said the Briton, who predicted after the Bahrain season-opener that Red Bull could win every race this season.

"We saw what Max did last year from 15th in Spa and he's got a faster race car this year."

Verstappen won in Belgium last year from 14th on the grid, after being one of eight drivers to take engine penalties, while Perez started second.

"Maybe they've done it on purpose to win from all the way back," joked Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who will start 12th after qualifying second but with a 10 place grid drop, said Red Bull were on another planet.

Former Mercedes driver and 2016 world