Live: F1 Saudi Arabian GP commentary and updates – FP1 & FP2 | Live text

The 2023 F1 season resumes in Jeddah, with plenty of talking points to focus on, including reigning world champion and Bahrain GP winner Max Verstappen who missed his Thursday commitments due to a stomach bug, meaning his first appearance this weekend will be in first practice.

Following the Red Bull domination in Bahrain, all eyes will be on what its rivals can do in response at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, and whether Aston Martin can maintain its surprise start having seen Fernando Alonso finish on the podium in the opener.

Charles Leclerc goes into the Saudi race with a 10-place grid penalty due to taking his third set of control electronics for his Ferrari after his Bahrain retirement.

Saudi Arabian GP first practice begins at 1:30pm GMT followed by second practice which starts at 5:00pm GMT. Qualifying takes place on Saturday at 5:00pm GMT to decide the starting grid for the race on Sunday at 5:00pm GMT.

By: Haydn Cobb, Megan White, Lewis Duncan, Stefan Mackley

Summary


	Summary Verstappen fastest in FP2 for Saudi Arabian GP, having also topped the times in the opening session Alonso second quickest from Perez, Ocon and Russell Ferrari drivers Leclerc and Sainz finish 9th and 10th FP3 gets underway tomorrow at 1330hrs GMT (1630 local time)
	Leaderboard Verstappen, Red Bull Alonso, Aston Martin Perez, Red Bull Ocon, Alpine Russell, Mercedes Gasly, Alpine Stroll, Aston Martin Hulkenberg, Haas Leclerc, Ferrari Sainz, Ferrari

Status: Stopped

20:10 That's all from us for today, but we'll be back ahead of FP3 at 13.30 UK time tomorrow. Have a good Friday night!

20:09 Read the full FP2 report here: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-saudi-arabian-gp-verstappen-completes-friday-practice-clean-sweep/10444898/

20:01 And that's FP2 finished! Verstappen led the session from Alonso and Perez

19:57 Charles Leclerc reporting more problems but Ferrari can't see anything on the data

19:50 Verstappen reporting "really bad" downshifts, especially at the last corner

19:49 Everyone has settled into the 1m35s now with 10 minutes left of the session

19:45 Leclerc is struggling with his clutch pedal. This does not bode well on a weekend where he already has a 10-place grid penalty...

19:41 Less than 20 minutes remaining and Verstappen still leads from Alonso and Perez. Ocon is fourth ahead of Russell in fifth.

19:35 Russell says "we need to make some changes." He's currently fourth, with Hamilton in 11th

19:35 This traffic is worse than the M25 at rush hour...

19:32 Verstappen is once again top with a 1m29.603s, with Alonso 0.2s behind him. The chase will be on in qualifying!

19:28 It's now a Red Bull 1-2 again - a familiar sight! Perez leads from Verstappen by 0.05s

19:22 Alonso is now running second, with a 1m29.985s. Can he repeat his podium from Bahrain on Sunday?

19:19 Despite his comfort struggles, Verstappen improves again into the 1m29s, with a 1m29.952s

19:16 Meanwhile, Max Verstappen is not happy with his headrest and says he "can't feel the car"

19:15 Close call there between Leclerc and Hulkenberg...

19:13 The Mercedes is looking a bit of a handful as Hamilton makes it into the top 10 in ninth place, while Russell is 11th

19:12 Further down the timesheet, Alonso, Ocon and Albon complete the top five

19:11 The Red Bull pair are now leading again - quelle surprise! - with Verstappen ahead of Perez

19:08 That didn't last long! Fernando Alonso has gone quickest for Aston Martin, 0.2s quicker than Verstappen

Live: F1 Saudi Arabian GP commentary and updates – FP1 & FP2

Follow the live action as the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix gets going with Friday practice.

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