Max Verstappen's Red Bull 'Comes Alive' To Claim Record Pole In Jeddah

Max Verstappen said his Red Bull car had "come alive" after he nailed pole for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from McLaren's Oscar Piastri with a track record in a gripping qualifying session on Saturday. Piastri's teammate, championship leader Lando Norris, crashed in the top 10 shoot-out and will start on the fifth row of Sunday's race. Four-time world champion Verstappen was in irrepressible form under the floodlights on the high-speed Jeddah Corniche Circuit, grabbing the front of the grid with a 1min 27.294sec lap, one hundredth of a second quicker than Piastri.

It was a huge turnaround for the Dutchman after he and his Red Bull team had struggled in Bahrain last weekend.

"Simply lovely! I definitely didn't expect to be on pole here," said a beaming Verstappen.

"The car came alive in the night, we made some final changes and it was more enjoyable to drive, the grip was coming to me.

"I think tomorrow in the race, it will be tough to keep them (McLaren) behind, but we'll give it a good go," he added.

Norris leads the drivers' standings by three points from Piastri with Verstappen five points back ahead of this fifth round of the 24-race season.

George Russell will set off on the second row in his Mercedes alongside the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc.

McLaren are seeking their fourth win from five on Sunday, after Norris took the season-opener in Melbourne with Piastri clicking in China and Sakhir.

Piastri said despite Verstappen's masterful performance there was "all to play for" in the race.

"I think Max has done a good job," said the Australian.

"It's another high-speed circuit for (Red Bull), where they seem to be having a little bit more success - but a good job again.

"I think our pace is good. It's going to be a