Motor racing-Perez ends 11-year pole wait and makes history for Mexico

By Alan Baldwin

(Reuters) - Sergio Perez waited 11 years for his first Formula One pole position and when it finally came, under the floodlights in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, it was an absolute cracker.

The 32-year-old Mexican produced the lap of his life to take the top slot for Red Bull in what will be his 215th grand prix start.

It also came on the 11th anniversary of his first qualifying session for Sauber on March 26, 2011 at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Nobody else has ever waited so long for a pole, 'Checo' taking the record from Australian Mark Webber whose first, also with Red Bull, came at the 131st time of asking at the Nuerburgring in 2009.

"It took me a couple of races but what a lap," said Perez, whose team mate and reigning world champion Max Verstappen qualified fourth.

"I can do 1,000 laps and I don't think I can beat that lap. It was unbelievable."

Team boss Christian Horner was every bit as delighted for a popular driver who also became the first Mexican to take a pole position in Formula One.

"I am just so, so pleased for Checo," he told Sky Sports television.

"He's working harder than ever and that lap was mighty. We could see it coming, and the Ferraris put down such a competitive marker. For Checo to go and do that, only the second time I think he's outqualified Max.

"And to put in a lap like that, here, at the hardest and most dangerous circuit that we go to, an unbelievable performance from him.

"Whatever he had for lunch, breakfast and dinner last night we're going to feed him the same, give him the same tomorrow. A phenomenal performance from him."

Perez had been third-quickest but lapped the ultra-fast street circuit with a best time of one minute 28.200 seconds after Ferrari's