F1 RESULT: Fernando Alonso podium reinstated after Aston Martin appeal at Saudi GP

Fernando Alonso’s podium at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has been reinstated after Aston Martin were successful in a late appeal on Sunday night.

Alonso was originally celebrating his second podium in a row for Aston after coming home third, before he was hit with a 10-second time penalty for not serving a five-second penalty correctly in the pits, demoting him to fourth.

• READ: Fernando Alonso’s podium REINSTATED after Aston Martin appeal at Saudi Arabian GP

However, Aston appealed soon after the race due to a technicality in the rulebook and as the clock hit 1am in Jeddah, Alonso’s third-place finish was reinstated and subsequently his 100th podium in Formula 1.

The double world champion, minutes before the reinstatement was made official, tweeted: “100^th podium! What an amazing TEAM we have and fast car! Proud of you Aston Martin.”

Follow live reaction to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with The Independent

Key Points

• SAUDI GP RESULT: Sergio Perez wins; Verstappen 2nd; Alonso 3rd

• Fernando Alonso has podium reinstated after Aston Martin podium

• Alonso received a 10-second penalty and had looked to be denied his 100th podium

• Lap 18/50: SAFETY CAR! Lance Stroll forced to retire

• Lap 9/50: Charles Leclerc overtakes Lewis Hamilton as Verstappen moves up the field

• Lap 4/50: Perez retakes the lead from Alonso

• Lap 1/50: Alonso overtook Perez down into turn one but Spaniard given five-second penalty

• Lewis Hamilton and British F1 drivers give heartwarming Mother’s Day messages

BREAKING: Fernando Alonso’s Saudi podium reinstated after Aston Martin appeal

22:33 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso’s podium at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has been reinstated after Aston Martin were successful in a late appeal on Sunday night.

Alonso was originally celebrating his second podium in a row for Aston after coming home third, before he was hit with a 10-second time penalty for not serving a five-second penalty correctly in the pits, demoting him to fourth.

However, Aston appealed soon after the race due to a technicality in the rulebook and as the clock hit 1am in Jeddah, Alonso’s third-place finish was reinstated and subsequently his 100th podium in Formula 1.

The double world champion, minutes before the reinstatement was made official, tweeted: “100^th podium! What an amazing TEAM we have and fast car! Proud of you Aston Martin.”

The Spaniard, who took the lead of the race as he overtook Sergio Perez down into turn one, had to serve a five-second time penalty for not being in the correct grid spot at the start of the grand prix.

Then, having lost first place to eventual race winner Perez, Alonso served the penalty at his first pit stop but upon review work started on his car milliseconds too early, with the rear jack raised too soon.

However, team principal Mike Krack reffered to “ambiguity” in the regulations regarding what constitutes “working” on the car and – on that basis – the stewards decided to reverse the 10-second penalty and thus Alonso was restored to third place.

BREAKING: Fernando Alonso’s Saudi podium reinstated after Aston Martin appeal

22:27 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso’s podium at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has been reinstated after Aston Martin were successful in a late appeal on Sunday night.

Alonso was originally celebrating his second podium in a row in Jeddah after coming home third, before he was hit with a 10-second time penalty for not serving a five-second penalty correctly in the pits.

However, Aston appealed soon after the race and as the clock hit 1am in Saudi, Alonso’s third-place finish was reinstated and subsequently his 100th podium in Formula 1.

The double world champion, minutes before the reinstatement was made official, tweeted: “100^th podium! What an amazing TEAM we have and fast car! Proud of you Aston Martin.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Goodbye!

21:30 , Kieran Jackson

Thanks very much for following The Independent’s live coverage of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend, as Sergio Perez claimed victory and Red Bull claimed another one-two!

Join us tomorrow for all the news and reaction to the race in Jeddah. Until then, have a very good evening!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Fernando Alonso slams FIA

21:19 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso hit out at the FIA and their slow response after the Aston Martin driver was punished with a second time penalty, costing him a podium at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The Spaniard, who took the lead of the race as he overtook Sergio Perez down into turn one, had to serve a five-second time penalty for not being in the correct grid spot at the start.

The 41-year-old, having lost first place to eventual race winner Perez, served the penalty at his first pit stop but upon review work started on his car milliseconds too early, with the rear jack raised too soon.

Alonso came home third though, and took his place on what would have been his 100^th podium in Formula 1, before learning of another penalty – this time 10 seconds – which demoted him to fourth and saw George Russell claim third place.

Alonso, however, insisted he “doesn’t care too much” but was unimpressed with how long it took the stewards to make a decision.

“It doesn’t hurt too much,” Alonso said. “It’s more the FIA who fall short today.

“You cannot apply a penalty 35 laps after the pit stop. They had enough time to inform me about the penalty - if I knew I could have pushed for 11 seconds, so it’s not good for the fans.”

Fernando Alonso slams FIA after penalty costs him podium in Saudi Arabia

SAUDI GP RACE REPORT:

21:00 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez held off Max Verstappen to win the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as Red Bull’s dominant start to the new season continued in Jeddah.

Perez crossed the line 5.3 seconds clear of team-mate Verstappen, who fought back from 15th after he limped out of qualifying with a driveshaft failure.

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso took the final spot on the podium, but was given a 10-second time penalty post-race due to an infringement on how his Aston Martin served an earlier five-second penalty, with George Russell taking third instead. Lewis Hamilton finished fifth.

Red Bull are on another planet this season, and their crushing one-two finish – their second in as many races – will be a major cause of concern for Formula One bosses as it embarks on a record 23-round calendar.

Sergio Perez wins Saudi Arabian GP as Fernando Alonso cruelly denied podium

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Mike Krack...

20:43 , Kieran Jackson

Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack implied that his team may look to appeal Alonso’s penalty...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Fernando Alonso slams FIA

20:22 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso hit out at the FIA and their slow response after the Aston Martin driver was punished with a second time penalty, costing him a podium at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The Spaniard, who took the lead of the race as he overtook Sergio Perez down into turn one, had to serve a five-second time penalty for not being in the correct grid spot at the start.

The 41-year-old, having lost first place to eventual race winner Perez, served the penalty at his first pit stop but upon review work started on his car milliseconds too early, with the rear jack raised too soon.

Alonso came home third though, and took his place on what would have been his 100^th podium in Formula 1, before learning of another penalty – this time 10 seconds – which demoted him to fourth and saw George Russell claim third place.

Alonso, however, insisted he “doesn’t care too much” but was unimpressed with how long it took the stewards to make a decision.

“It doesn’t hurt too much,” Alonso said. “It’s more the FIA who fall short today.

“You cannot apply a penalty 35 laps after the pit stop. They had enough time to inform me about the penalty - if I knew I could have pushed for 11 seconds, so it’s not good for the fans.

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: George Russell’s reaction!

20:07 , Kieran Jackson

And here’s George Russell’s reaction upon finding out about his surprise podium!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Fernando Alonso...

19:59 , Kieran Jackson

Quite understandably, Fernando Alonso had a thing or to say about the stewards...

SAUDI GP RACE REPORT:

19:55 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez held off Max Verstappen to win the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as Red Bull’s dominant start to the new season continued in Jeddah.

Perez crossed the line 5.3 seconds clear of team-mate Verstappen, who fought back from 15th after he limped out of qualifying with a driveshaft failure.

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso took the final spot on the podium, but was given a 10-second time penalty post-race due to an infringement on how his Aston Martin served an earlier five-second penalty, with George Russell taking third instead. Lewis Hamilton finished fifth.

Red Bull are on another planet this season, and their crushing one-two finish – their second in as many races – will be a major cause of concern for Formula One bosses as it embarks on a record 23-round calendar.

Sergio Perez wins Saudi Arabian GP as Fernando Alonso cruelly denied podium

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Lando Norris...

19:50 , Kieran Jackson

“We were definitely worse today. We’re not even good in the corners, slow on the straights. Can get close but can’t do more than that. Even the Williams, had DRS open, barely quicker than them.

“We have to stay patient.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Charles Leclerc...

19:44 , Kieran Jackson

“There was not much more in the car today, we need to find some pace.

“Really a lot [of work]. Straight-line they are quicker and corners they are quicker.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Fernando Alonso...

19:38 , Kieran Jackson

“It doesn’t hurt too much! It’s more the FIA fall short today, you cannot apply a penalty 35 laps after the pit stop. They had enough time to inform about the penalty - if I knew I could have pushed 11 seconds, so not good for the fans.

“No one told me this five seconds, there was no information at all, not even investigated. I don’t understand fully the second penalty. I care but I don’t care that much - I celebrated but I have three points less...”

“Arguably here we were stronger than Bahrain. I don’t want to be too optimistic but it looks good.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Aston Martin team principal Mike Krack..

19:33 , Kieran Jackson

“We need to look at the videos, what happened exactly. This is what we’re doing now.

“The regulations say you may not work on the car, it’s a bit ambiguous. We have a clear procedure and a countdown, there was for sure no advantage developed. Let’s see.

“We are checking this at the moment, prefer not to say too much as not 100% sure how we’re going to handle it.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT - Nico Rosberg...

19:28 , Kieran Jackson

On Mercedes battle: “George is the ultimate test, he is a future world champion. This is a difficult one for Lewis to be in front, big challenge.

“But Lewis is the best of all time, if there’s someone who can beat George it’s Lewis. It’s a weakness which Lewis has, that he’ll go down and not go with the flow... but then he’ll bounce back.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Lewis Hamilton...

19:23 , Kieran Jackson

“We got some great points as a team, I went forward which is always the hope. I’m really grateful to have come from 7th to 5th, strategy didn’t work me, nor did set up - lots to work on...”

“On set up, we work on that - there was a 50/50 choice, the way he went just happened to work. I could only match his pace rather than be quicker.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Toto Wolff..

19:17 , Kieran Jackson

“We’d rather take one of those golden trophies than none! We’ve seen some performance gains compared to Bahrain... but on the flip side we want to race for wins soon, but the Red Bulls are a minute away.

Second in the C’Ship? “Yeah, first loser!”

On Lewis: “Both of the drivers under our guidance, we overmanaged the tyres a little bit. We could have pushed a bit more, but great recovery and yeah solid points.”

“The question is what is your benchmark? The Red Bulls are just so quick, we need to put our car in a different window - we’re changing the team and bodywork. The team in Brackley is just flat out.

“If it looks like an English double decker bus, we will do it if its fast. We have no dog mile on how we do it. We’re making big elephant steps going forward but it’ll be a super fun journey to challenge Red Bull. We can see them - they are just far away at the moment.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: George Russell..

19:11 , Kieran Jackson

“Interesting race. There was a lot of confusion, I thought Fernando had a penalty so didn’t want to be fighting with each other. Pleased to come home in P4. The penalty for Fernando is pretty harsh, they’re the deserving podium finishers but I’ll take another trophy, won’t complain about that.”

“Got to give credit to what Red Bull have done, the gap is bigger than Mercedes in 2014. Serious gap. Everyone needs to work hard to try and close that gap, we didn’t make the right decisions over the winter. Everything’s not all lost, we’ll still be fighting as hard as we can.

“We’ve got to take the positives away from this weekend, we finished above the Ferraris on merit, we’ve got some more performance to come. But our goal isn’t just to beat Ferrari, it’s for the Championship - it has to be with Red Bull but they’re still a step ahead of everyone.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Fernando Alonso demoted to fourth...

19:06 , Kieran Jackson

Fair play to Alonso, joking that he wants the podium redone with Russell on it!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Christian Horner, speaking to Sky F1...

19:01 , Kieran Jackson

“This was Checo’s best ever race. We’ve made a terrific car. They were both pushing hard, Max was patient at the start, picked the cars off, and so a phenomenal recovery.

“We’ve got a great car and two great drivers. We talked in the briefing that you’re free to race, but keep it clean. All credit to Checo and the whole team for maximum points. We’ve got two drivers within a point of each other, they’ll be pushing hard.”

“Ferrari’s pace never materialised. Their pace in the race wasn’t really there, the pace of our car in that circuit... that was everything we had today.”

On Australia: “Albert Park has never been a lucky circuit, we’ve won there once in 2011. We’ll learn from some issues this weekend, but then we get back to Europe and we get upgrades. This is not something we’ll see all season, it will converge.”

BREAKING: Fernando Alonso receives 10-second time penalty!

18:54 , Kieran Jackson

Can you believe it?! Fernando Alonso is denied his 100th podium in Formula 1!

He receives a 10-second time penalty, with the rear jack up milliseconds too soon as Alonso served his five-second penalty in the pits! What a shame!

George Russell is the beneficiary; he takes third place!

Here’s why...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Podium!

18:51 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez looks a very happy and proud man on top of the podium as the Mexican national anthem plays out at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit!

But it’s the Austrian anthem too as Red Bull’s dominance continues!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Stewards investigating Alonso’s penalty!

18:47 , Kieran Jackson

BREAKING: The stewards are investigating whether Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin team served his podium correctly - it looked as though his rear jack was up before the five seconds were up!

Esteban Ocon received a 10-second penalty two weeks ago for a similar offence.

We shall wait and see - George Russell could still claim third even though he’s not on the podium!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: TOP-10!

18:44 , Kieran Jackson

1) Sergio Perez

2) Max Verstappen

3) Fernando Alonso

4) George Russell

5) Lewis Hamilton

6) Carlos Sainz

7) Charles Leclerc

8) Esteban Ocono

9) Pierre Gasly

10) Kevin Magnussen

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Max Verstappen...

18:41 , Kieran Jackson

“It wasn’t easy to get through the field. Trying to follow in the beginning was difficult but we got into a good rhythm and very happy to get a podium.

“We settled for second which is a very good recovery, happy with that. I gave it a go at the end and luckily it worked out.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP RESULT: Fernando Alonso...

18:37 , Kieran Jackson

“What a start to the season, probably unthinkable one month ago when we launched the car. We’ve made a fantastic car, great strategy and yeah two podiums.

“I need to review, I made a mistake, but had to drive faster due to those five seconds.

“It’s a hard grand prix but those guys give me power, I pushed all the way through. Red Bull out of reach but the rest are behind so happy with that.”

No word on any further penalty as of yet, by the way, so it looks like Alonso is in the clear...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Sergio Perez...

18:33 , Kieran Jackson

“We will keep pushing hard, the important thing is we were the fastest car out there.”

“There’s some work to do, we need to do some work for better starts in the future.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Sergio Perez...

18:28 , Kieran Jackson

“Nice job guys, well done, excellent result for the team. It’s been an awesome first two races, let’s keep it up and have some fun.”

Horner: “Really amazing drive, that last stint was on fire!”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: SERGIO PEREZ WINS THE SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX!

18:27 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez claims his fifth victory in Formula 1 - the Mexican triumphs in Jeddah!

It’s another Red Bull one-two - and Max Verstappen does get the fastest lap of the grand prix, to claim an extra point and keep the Championship lead!

Fernando Alonso comes home third - and has a 5.1 second gap to George Russell at the chequered flag!

Alonso’s 100th podium!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 50/50 - Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso

18:25 , Kieran Jackson

FINAL LAP!

There’s definitely concern at Aston Martin about how they served the penalty, though they tell Fernando Alonso that they think they’re “all clean.”

George Russell keeping himself within five seconds and is “pushing like a madman.”

At the front, one more lap for Sergio Perez - who still has the fastest lap too, much to Max Verstappen’s irritation!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 48/50 - Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso

18:23 , Kieran Jackson

Kevin Magnussen gets the move done on Yuki Tsunoda for 10th - and the last World Championship point! Big scream from the Japanese driver...

George Russell, meanwhile, told by his engineer that Fernando Alonso may get a five-second penalty - with the gap 4.5 seconds.

Did they serve his penalty correctly?! Nothing from race control as of yet.

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 46/50 - Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso

18:20 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez has stretched his lead to Max Verstappen, it’s now 5.6 seconds.

Verstappen asks about fastest lap, his engineer: “We’re not concerned about that right now Max.

Max: “Yeah but I am!”

Right at the back, the McLarens are having a tussle which is entertaining - swapping positions but Lando Norris comes out on top!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 44/50 - Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso

18:16 , Kieran Jackson

Quite amusing: Sergio Perez’s engineer gives him a lap target, Perez asks for Max’s time which is 0.2 seconds quicker, and the Mexican is suspicious!

He’s quickly reassured though, “job is good right now.”

As for Max Verstappen’s issue? Nothing further to report - looks like a simple Red Bull one-two is back on!

Six laps to go. Perez currently has the fastest lap, which means he would lead the World Championship!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 41/50 - Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso

18:11 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez is now having a moan about his brakes! Though his engineer says the team are “happy with the brake pedal, just a little bit of wear.”

A cruise for Red Bull has, suddenly, becoming concerning!

TOP-10: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso, Russell, Hamilton, Sainz, Leclerc, Ocon, Gasly, Tsunoda

Best battle out on track right now? Battle for 10th, with Kevin Magnussen around 1.5 seconds behind Yuki Tsunoda...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 39/50 - Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso

18:07 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen complaining of a vibration on the drive shaft, which caused his problem in qualifying yesterday!

Seems OK for now for the double world champion.

Verstappen’s engineer: “Keep going for the moment. We’re happy for now.”

Plot twist?!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 37/50 - Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso

18:06 , Kieran Jackson

Nip and tuck between the Red Bulls now - the gap is 4.4 seconds.

Max Verstappen is complaining of a “weird noise” at high speeds. Interesting...

Elsewhere, George Russell has stretched his lead to Hamilton to over two seconds while Fernando Alonso, in third, looks very comfortable for that final podium spot!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 31/50 - Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso

17:56 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez is, rather impressively, maintaining his five-second lead to Max Verstappen - so no close racing between the Red Bulls yet.

Meanwhile, George Russell has just set his fastest lap and has moved himself out of DRS range to Lewis Hamilton!

TOP-10: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso, Russell, Hamilton, Sainz, Leclerc, Ocon, Gasly, Tsunoda

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 28/50 - Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso

17:53 , Kieran Jackson

Alex Albon does make it to the pit lane, but his Williams is out of the race!

Lewis Hamilton has DRS behind Mercedes team-mate George Russell...

Russell protesting that he doesn’t want to let his team-mate pass due to Alonso’s penalty - but he’s told that he’s already served it!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 28/50 - Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso

17:50 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton is the one to look out for behind the front-two - he’s on mediums, and is right on the tail of George Russell in fourth.

However, Alex Albon is complaining of a brake issue... can he get back to the pits?!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 28/50 - Top-3: Perez, Verstappen, Alonso

17:47 , Kieran Jackson

That didn’t take long - Max Verstappen is up to second, breezing past Fernando Alonso down the inside on the main straight!

The gap from Perez to Verstappepn? Five seconds.

It’s two races now; Red Bulls against each other... and the rest.

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 24/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Verstappen

17:46 , Kieran Jackson

DRS now enabled... and Max Verstappen doesn’t even need the pit straight to overtake, he does it down the inside!

The Dutchman up to third! George Russell simply powerless to stop him!

And Verstappen now closing in on Fernando Alonso...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 22/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell

17:42 , Kieran Jackson

Russell holds off Verstappen... but Sainz can’t hold off Hamilton - the seven-time world champion up to P5!

Lewis Hamilton is the only driver in the top-14 who is on medium tyres, with the rest on hards! He’s the outlier right now...

Could he haul in Verstappen, maybe?!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 22/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell

17:41 , Kieran Jackson

We’re racing once again in Jeddah!

George Russell made a move on Fernando Alonso for second heading into turn 1, but simply didn’t have enough purchase!

Clean getaway for everyone though.

Verstappen right on the tail of Russell already...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 21/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell

17:38 , Kieran Jackson

Safety car ending...

We’re about to get racing once again!

It’s been perfect for Max Verstappen, this. He was a pit stop behind Sergio Perez, but now is close by as the pack has bunched...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 20/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell

17:37 , Kieran Jackson

All the top-four stop! And the order remains the same!

Max Verstappen now in fourth - and is right behind George Russell as the pack bunches behind the safety car!

Lewis Hamilton also pitted - he’s in P6. Hamilton on mediums...

Top-10: Perez, Alonso, Russell, Verstappen, Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Ocon, Gasly

Seemed like a power failure for Stroll, incidentally...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 18/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell

17:32 , Kieran Jackson

SAFETY CAR!

Lance Stroll has been told to stop out on track! Nightmare for the Canadian!

It’s set to be busy in the pits...!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 16/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell

17:31 , Kieran Jackson

Charles Leclerc pits... just as he was about to be overtaken by Max Verstappen! The double world champion now up too fourth, though is yet to pit.

Leclerc comes out ahead of Stroll, so Aston Martin have lost out to both Ferraris there!

None of the top-three pitted yet...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 16/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell

17:29 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez’s lead to Fernando Alonso is now 4.6 seconds, while the Spaniard has a gap of 7.5 seconds to George Russell in third!

Carlos Sainz - who was running P4 - pits and comes out ahead of Lance Stroll!

Blimey, have Ferrari made a correct strategy choice?!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 14/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell

17:26 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso: “The tyres feel good, we can keep going.”

The Spaniard losing time to Perez, but increasing his lead to Russell in P3 - gap is seven seconds. A reminder that Alonso must serve a five-second penalty!

Meanwhile, Lance Stroll pits - and comes out P11. Ferrari engineers were out for Carlos Sainz, but they dummied Aston Martin!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 12/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell

17:24 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen overtakes Lewis Hamilton - the 2021 foes - down the main straight, no contest! Red Bull far superior to the Mercedes... now up to P8!

Gap from Sergio Perez to Fernando Alonso? 2.8 seconds.

Perhaps more importantly, the gap from Perez to Verstappen? Around 17 seconds...

A few cars pitting now. Safety car window very much open..

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 9/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell

17:19 , Kieran Jackson

After being warned for weaving, Lewis Hamilton is powerless to Charles Leclerc overtaking him down the inside on the main straight!

The Ferrari up to P7, having started in 12th!

Max Verstappen is up into the top-10, overtaking Zhou Guanyu.

The gap from Perez to Alonso out in front is now one second, while George Russell has escaped the DRS range to Lance Stroll in fourth.

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 7/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell

17:16 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso is hanging onto the back off Sergio Perez, with the help of DRS...

Lance Stroll is keeping tabs on George Russell in third, while there is a DRS train forming behind Lewis Hamilton in seventh, with Charles Leclerc now in eighth and Esteban Ocon in ninth - the Ferrari cruising past the Alpine down the main straight!

Max Verstappen? Still only P11 - in a DRS train!

Top-10: Perez, Alonso, Russell, Stroll, Ocon, Hamailton, Leclerc, Gasly, Zhou

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 4/50 - Top-3: Perez, Alonso, Russell

17:11 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez has the pace down the outside on the main straight - and retakes the lead!

Fernando Alonso tries to fight back but can’t get it done - the Red Bull back out in front!

Alonso will serve his five-second penalty at his first pit-stop...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 3/50 - Top-3: Alonso, Perez, Russell

17:09 , Kieran Jackson

Fernando Alonso has a FIVE-SECOND TIME PENALTY for the wrong position in the grid slot - oh what a shame for Aston Martin!

He remains out in front though...

Top-10: Alonso, Perez, Russell, Stroll, Sainz, Ocon, Hamilton, Gasly, Leclerc, Zhou

Max Verstappen in 13th after three laps...

Lando Norris has also had to pit - so both McLarens right at the back of the pack!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lap 2/50 - Top-3: Alonso, Perez, Russell

17:07 , Kieran Jackson

Oh no! Alonso has been noted by the stewards for incorrect starting spot in his grid spot! He may well have a penalty coming...

Meanwhile, his Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll overtakes Carlos Sainz to get up to fourth!

Russell has maintained thid spot, Piastri pits for a new wing...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lights out!

17:05 , Kieran Jackson

We’re underway in Jeddah - and Fernando Alonso leads heading into turn 1!

The Aston Martin was quicker off the line and beat Perez down the inside!

As you were elsewhere - some bodywork damage to Oscar Piastri though!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Formation laps!

17:00 , Kieran Jackson

We’re underway with the formation laps at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with Sergio Perez leading the pack around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit - the second longest track of the season, behind only Spa!

Will Fernando Alonso dive down the outside into turn 1?! What can George Russell do from P3? And what about Max Verstappen from 15th?!

Lights out any moment now!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: A reminder of the starting grid!

16:58 , Kieran Jackson

1) Sergio Perez

2) Fernando Alonso

3) George Russell

4) Carlos Sainz

5) Lance Stroll

6) Esteban Ocon

7) Lewis Hamilton

8) Oscar Piastri

9) Pierre Gasly

10) Nico Hulkenberg

11) Zhou Guanyu

12) Charles Leclerc

13) Kevin Magnussen

14) Valtteri Bottas

15) Max Verstappen

16) Yuki Tsunoda

17) Alex Albon

18) Nyck de Vries

19) Lando Norris

20) Logan Sargeant

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: George Russell speaking to Sky F1...

16:53 , Kieran Jackson

“I’m excited, fast track, difficult to fight with the Red Bulls but going to battle with Aston and Ferrari.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lance Stroll speaking to Sky F1...

16:51 , Kieran Jackson

“A lot of adrenaline around here. Wind picked up today, could make balance tricky today.

“Headwind into turn seven.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Max Verstappen, speaking to Sky F1...

16:49 , Kieran Jackson

“We have a quick car but I still need to be careful, it’s a long championship so I need to get as many points as possible.”

“It’s not entirely realistic to fight for the win so we’ll see where I end up. I’ll try to move forward, quick car cornering-wise and also straight line speed. Be careful to stay out of trouble!”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Fred Vasseur speaking to Sky F1...

16:48 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s a big challenge. My position is the best position on the grid!

“The issue we had in Bahrain was completely unexpected. We have to understand it exactly but so far it’s under control, so we changed the PU to be on the safe side.

On Leclerc: “Be back in the top-five - and get Carlos on the podium.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Max Verstappen gives chances of winning Saudi Arabian GP from 15th

16:44 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen admitted “anything is possible” for Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix despite qualifying a shock 15th after a mechanical failure.

After topping the timesheets in all three practice sessions, Verstappen’s pole position looked a formality at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. But a drive shaft issue early in Q2 meant Verstappen could not set a quick time and he starts the race in P15.

Verstappen has won from low down the order before - most notably in Budapest and Spa last year - but said it will be “tough” on a narrow street track like Jeddah.

“It’s the first time I heard about it [the issue],” he told Sky F1 afterwards.

Max Verstappen gives chances of winning Saudi Arabian GP from 15th

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Will Smith speaking to Sky F1...

16:41 , Kieran Jackson

“Team Lewis! I lost my voice last night!”

On appearing in the F1 film: “I haven’t been asked yet but I would love to, might have to work on the gut on this though.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Kevin Magnussen speaking to Sky F1...

16:38 , Kieran Jackson

“I have Max in the mirrors and a Ferrari near. I don’t expect it to be our fight, certainly not the Red Bull. You try not to lose any time with it and not lose your tyres when they overtake you.

“We’re not the best in terms of degradation, we’ll see how we goes.”

Magnussen starts P13...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Christian Horner speaking to Sky F1...

16:34 , Kieran Jackson

On Verstappen’s chances of winning: “I think it’s a big shot to win it, if he gets anywhere near the podium that’d be a great drive.”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton makes shock admission ahead of Saudi Arabian GP

16:29 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton has admitted he is lost and running low on confidence after another sobering evening in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Hamilton posted only the eighth quickest time in Jeddah, 0.958 seconds adrift of Sergio Perez, who starts on pole position for Sunday’s race after Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen’s night ended prematurely with a mechanical failure. The double world champion will line up in 15th.

Fernando Alonso joins Perez on the front row for his rejuvenated Aston Martin team, with George Russell third, four tenths clear of Hamilton in the other Mercedes.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc qualified second, but he is bumped down the order with an engine penalty. It means Hamilton will start seventh.

Twenty-four races have passed since Hamilton took the last of his record 103 victories following a monumental scrap with Verstappen here in Jeddah during the finals throws of their titanic 2021 title battle.

But that triumph 469 days ago, will seem like a distant memory for Hamilton, who cast a sullen figure in the moments after an underwhelming night’s work on the Red Sea.

Lewis Hamilton makes shock admission ahead of Saudi Arabian GP

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Ted Talk! F1 cult hero Kravitz on pit lane secrets and... cheese

16:14 , Kieran Jackson

Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson

Ted is talking about cheese. For a Formula 1 pit lane reporter functioning in a world of tyre compounds and floor specifications, Ted often finds himself talking about cheese. Usually at pre-season testing. A bizarre synonymity, some might say, and readers not drooling in the daily churn of digital F1 content may be a little lost already. Don’t worry, you’re forgiven.

Sky Sports’ ever-present pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz – of BBC and ITV before that – has a style of presenting so inimitable that the man himself has formed a devoted following of his own, hate it as he might. Ahead of his 22^nd year of pit lane reporting and 27^th working in the sport he loves, Ted’s methodology of fan interaction is constantly evolving. This year, forget TikTok: it’s all about TedTok. So, back to the cheese.

“TedTok was just too good for somebody to steal,” the 48-year-old tells The Independent, in the unusually formal setting for him of an office at Sky Studios. “So I’m just going to put nonsense about doing stuff with cheese on there.

“I put up a video of me and Anthony [Davidson] choosing the perfect cheese in Bahrain to carve away the venturi tunnels of the car to the floor edge… it’s harder than you think.

“You could have got a block of cheddar, but then it would’ve just crumbled away and the whole shoot would’ve been a disaster. This was 20 minutes and Anthony was quite right in choosing the right type of cheese… gouda!”

Ted Talk! F1 cult hero Kravitz on pit lane secrets and... cheese

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Happy Mother’s Day!

16:09 , Kieran Jackson

This is a lovely touch from all the British drivers on Mother’s Day!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: A reminder of the starting grid!

16:06 , Kieran Jackson

1) Sergio Perez

2) Fernando Alonso

3) George Russell

4) Carlos Sainz

5) Lance Stroll

6) Esteban Ocon

7) Lewis Hamilton

8) Oscar Piastri

9) Pierre Gasly

10) Nico Hulkenberg

11) Zhou Guanyu

12) Charles Leclerc

13) Kevin Magnussen

14) Valtteri Bottas

15) Max Verstappen

16) Yuki Tsunoda

17) Alex Albon

18) Nyck de Vries

19) Lando Norris

20) Logan Sargeant

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Drivers parade!

16:01 , Kieran Jackson

The drivers are at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit and are being paraded around the track!

Less than an hour until lights out!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Fernando Alonso...

15:54 , Kieran Jackson

“Let’s see, the degradation here is very different to Bahrain so maybe we don’t have the advantage on racepace. But the car performed well in high speed, we aim for another podium.

“All three tyres are a possibility, the soft gives you an advantage at the start. Hard gives you a lot of freedom in terms of statregy, we are considering all three options.

“Any trophy will mean on the podium, so I’d take any of those three!”

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Qualifying report!

15:46 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez took a surprise pole position for Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen suffered a mechanical failure in qualifying.

Verstappen will line up only in 15th, but Perez salvaged some joy for Red Bull by beating Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to second, with Fernando Alonso third for Aston Martin.

George Russell finished fourth, but his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton qualified only eighth.

Verstappen had been the odds-on favourite to race to top spot under the lights in Jeddah after he topped all three practice sessions in his dominant Red Bull machine.

But drama struck for the Dutchman in Q2 when a suspected driveshaft issue hit his Red Bull.

Sergio Perez takes surprise pole position for Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Odds!

15:35 , Kieran Jackson

Saudi Arabian GP Winner

Sergio Perez - 11/10

Max Verstappen - 11/8

Fernando Alonso - 9/2

George Russell - 28/1

Charles Leclerc - 33/1

Carlos Sainz - 50/1

Lewis Hamilton - 50/1

Lance Stroll - 66/1

Winning Margin

Under 5 Seconds - 11/5

5-10 Seconds - 21/10

Over 10 Seconds - 11/10

Odds provided by Betway

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: McLaren

15:26 , Kieran Jackson

Oscar Piastri starts an impressive eighth today, while Lando Norris starts P19 after he clipped the wall in qualifying yesterday.

Can the papaya get their first points of the season after a disastrous race last time out in Bahrain?

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Max Verstappen gives chances of winning Saudi Arabian GP from 15th

15:12 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen admitted “anything is possible” for Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix despite qualifying a shock 15th after a mechanical failure.

After topping the timesheets in all three practice sessions, Verstappen’s pole position looked a formality at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. But a drive shaft issue early in Q2 meant Verstappen could not set a quick time and he starts the race in P15.

Verstappen has won from low down the order before - most notably in Budapest and Spa last year - but said it will be “tough” on a narrow street track like Jeddah.

“It’s the first time I heard about it [the issue],” he told Sky F1 afterwards.

Max Verstappen gives chances of winning Saudi Arabian GP from 15th

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Sergio Perez!

14:56 , Kieran Jackson

Hell of an onboard this!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Red Bull’s Christian Horner backed to be F1 CEO over current boss Stefano Domenicali

14:47 , Kieran Jackson

Christian Horner has been backed to become the next CEO of Formula 1 – by the sport’s former supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Horner, the boss at Red Bull, is the sport’s longest serving team principal having been in charge of the current world champions since 2005.

The 49-year-old executive is overseeing Red Bull’s current domination of the sport, having won both world championships at a canter last year and claiming a one-two finish at the 2023 season-opener on Sunday with Max Verstappen, the double world champion, triumphant in Bahrain.

But Ecclestone – who caused controversy last year after stating he would “take a bullet” for Russian president Vladimir Putin – insists Horner should aim for the sport’s top job next.

“If you had to pick anyone today, I’d say he [Horner] would be as good as there is,” 92-year-old Ecclestone said.

Red Bull’s Christian Horner backed to be F1 CEO over current boss Stefano Domenicali

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Lewis Hamilton makes shock admission ahead of Saudi Arabian GP

14:28 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton has admitted he is lost and running low on confidence after another sobering evening in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Hamilton posted only the eighth quickest time in Jeddah, 0.958 seconds adrift of Sergio Perez, who starts on pole position for Sunday’s race after Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen’s night ended prematurely with a mechanical failure. The double world champion will line up in 15th.

Fernando Alonso joins Perez on the front row for his rejuvenated Aston Martin team, with George Russell third, four tenths clear of Hamilton in the other Mercedes.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc qualified second, but he is bumped down the order with an engine penalty. It means Hamilton will start seventh.

Twenty-four races have passed since Hamilton took the last of his record 103 victories following a monumental scrap with Verstappen here in Jeddah during the finals throws of their titanic 2021 title battle.

But that triumph 469 days ago, will seem like a distant memory for Hamilton, who cast a sullen figure in the moments after an underwhelming night’s work on the Red Sea.

Lewis Hamilton makes shock admission ahead of Saudi Arabian GP

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Charles Leclerc...

14:11 , Kieran Jackson

The Ferrari driver quaified in second but starts in P12 today due to a 10-place grid penalty...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Formula 1 accused of ‘enabling violence and bloodshed’ by racing in Saudi Arabia

13:56 , Kieran Jackson

Formula 1 is once again coming under increased scrutiny for staging races in countries with poor human rights records after the brother of a man executed in Saudi Arabia last year insisted the sport’s silence “enables violence and bloodshed.”

A fortnight after staging the opening race of the 2023 season in Bahrain, F1 returns to Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – a country where there have been 13 executions in the last two weeks.

Last year, 81 men were executed in one day shortly before the grand prix, with 41 from the Shia minority who had taken part in protests calling for greater political participation, according to the United Nations.

One of those men was Mustafa al-Kjayyat and his brother, Yasser al-Khayyat, insists that F1 is being used as a “tool to sportswash Saudi abuses”, in a letter seen by The Guardian addressed to F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“They use the spectacle of this sporting championship to distract from the murder of my brother and hundreds of others,” he wrote. “The grand prix carrying on as normal, without even mentioning the atrocities that have just been committed on that same soil, legitimises these heinous crimes.

“Silence is complicity. It is how the regime gets away with its atrocities and suppresses calls for democratic reforms. If you truly want Formula One to be an agent for change, rather than a tool to ‘sportswash’ Saudi abuses, please end Formula One’s silence.”

Formula 1 accused of ‘enabling violence and bloodshed’ by racing in Saudi Arabia

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Ted Talk! F1 cult hero Kravitz on pit lane secrets and... cheese

13:44 , Kieran Jackson

Exclusive interview by Kieran Jackson

Ted is talking about cheese. For a Formula 1 pit lane reporter functioning in a world of tyre compounds and floor specifications, Ted often finds himself talking about cheese. Usually at pre-season testing. A bizarre synonymity, some might say, and readers not drooling in the daily churn of digital F1 content may be a little lost already. Don’t worry, you’re forgiven.

Sky Sports’ ever-present pit lane reporter Ted Kravitz – of BBC and ITV before that – has a style of presenting so inimitable that the man himself has formed a devoted following of his own, hate it as he might. Ahead of his 22^nd year of pit lane reporting and 27^th working in the sport he loves, Ted’s methodology of fan interaction is constantly evolving. This year, forget TikTok: it’s all about TedTok. So, back to the cheese.

“TedTok was just too good for somebody to steal,” the 48-year-old tells The Independent, in the unusually formal setting for him of an office at Sky Studios. “So I’m just going to put nonsense about doing stuff with cheese on there.

“I put up a video of me and Anthony [Davidson] choosing the perfect cheese in Bahrain to carve away the venturi tunnels of the car to the floor edge… it’s harder than you think.

“You could have got a block of cheddar, but then it would’ve just crumbled away and the whole shoot would’ve been a disaster. This was 20 minutes and Anthony was quite right in choosing the right type of cheese… gouda!”

Ted Talk! F1 cult hero Kravitz on pit lane secrets and... cheese

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: The Jeddah Corniche Circuit!

13:27 , Kieran Jackson

Should make for an entertaining race!

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: George Russell...

13:12 , Kieran Jackson

“I would’ve taken that, really happy, really fun driving around the track. Car felt good, lacking downforce, but ultimately that’s all we can do.

“Back when I was at Williams and Fernando at Alpine, we had a couple of tussles. It’ll be an interesting race, we have a better race car than quali car, pleased with P3.

“When you’ve got a car as quick as Red Bull, you saw what Max did from P15 in Spa, credit to them. We need to focus on ourselves and find some more performance.”

Russell starts P3 this evening...

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Starting grid...

13:03 , Kieran Jackson

1) Sergio Perez

2) Fernando Alonso

3) George Russell

4) Carlos Sainz

5) Lance Stroll

6) Esteban Ocon

7) Lewis Hamilton

8) Oscar Piastri

9) Pierre Gasly

10) Nico Hulkenberg

11) Zhou Guanyu

12) Charles Leclerc

13) Kevin Magnussen

14) Valtteri Bottas

15) Max Verstappen

16) Yuki Tsunoda

17) Alex Albon

18) Nyck de Vries

19) Lando Norris

20) Logan Sargeant

F1 Saudi Arabian GP LIVE: Good afternoon!

12:58 , Kieran Jackson

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit!

So, who saw yesterday’s qualifying shock coming? Max Verstappen - quickest in all three practice sessions - starts 15th today after encountering a drive shaft issue in Q2 yesterday. Many are still tipping him to win the race - could he really?!

His Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez starts on pole, with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in second. The Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton start third and seventh respectively.

Stay here for all the news and build-up ahead of the race - lights out is at 5pm (GMT)!

BREAKING: Fernando Alonso’s Saudi podium reinstated after Aston Martin appeal

22:44 , Kieran Jackson

What happened?

Alonso, who took the lead of the race as he overtook Sergio Perez down into turn one, had to serve a five-second time penalty for not being in the correct grid spot at the start of the grand prix.

Then, having lost first place to eventual race winner Perez, Alonso served the penalty at his first pit stop but upon review work started on his car milliseconds too early, with the rear jack raised too soon.

However, team principal Mike Krack reffered to “ambiguity” in the regulations regarding what constitutes “working” on the car and – on that basis – the stewards decided to reverse the 10-second penalty and thus Alonso was restored to third place.

George Russell drops back down to fourth.

Fernando Alonso’s podium reinstated after Aston Martin appeal at Saudi Arabian GP