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Formula 1 Saudi Arabian GP

F1 Saudi Arabian GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP3 and Qualifying

Saturday's Formula 1 action from the Jeddah Corniche Circuit

Drivers line up to practice their start procedures at the end of FP2

Max Verstappen took a clean sweep of top spot in Friday’s two practice sessions, with Red Bull looking dominant once again after its 1-2 in the Bahrain Grand Prix opener.

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 final practice begins at 1:30pm GMT followed by qualifying at 5:00pm GMT to decide the starting grid for the race on Sunday at 5:00pm GMT.

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Three different cars have fastest times in the different sectors so far. Alpine, Mercedes and Red Bull sharing the joy courtesy of Ocon, Russell and Verstappen.
Stopwatch
It is an all sorts show so far, with hards, mediums and softs all being used. Russell goes quickest, on softs, with a 1m30.476s - 0.016s faster than team-mate Hamilton on the same rubber.
Stopwatch
Gasly is the new pace setter with a 1m30.718s set on softs as Verstappen goes second just 0.006s slower on the hards.
Stopwatch
Piastri posts the first representative lap time of the day with a 1m32.531s as there's a charge towards pit exit from a number of drivers. It must be a two-for-one deal at the local mall.
The usual slow start to final practice is officially over. Both Alpines are also on track, both on softs, plus Friday's fastest driver Verstappen who is on hards.
To keep the track busy, both McLarens and Hulkenberg have popped out for the first time today.
Both Stroll and Alonso pitted and switched onto hard tyres, only to then come in again.
He's joined in running the medium compound tyres by team-mate Fernando Alonso, who was second-fastest in FP2 yesterday.
And there's the sight of a car on track for the first time in the session. Lance Stroll ventures out in his Aston Martin.
Breaking news
We've seen plenty of sometime Virgin F1 racer, Bentley GT3 racer and Formula E racer Jerome d'Ambrosio in the Mercedes garage this weekend, and we've now been given some clarity as to what his role involves - with the possibility of it expanding. More on what the former Venturi FE team principal is up to here: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/wolff-hints-at-bigger-mercedes-f1-role-for-dambrosio/10445234/
And the one-hour FP3 is underway, although no sign of anybody taking to the track just yet.
A few drivers are milling around happily chatting, but Nico Hulkenberg is in the Haas with his helmet on and ready to go seemingly when the lights go green.
Sun
It's a bit overcast in Jeddah today, but air temperatures are a toasty 27.2 °C, with track temps at 43 °C.
Breaking news
Away from the track, today marks the premiere of the unmissable Gilles Villeneuve-Didier Pironi documentary, Racing's Untold Tragedy. Stefan Mackley has seen it, and you can read his review of what to expect here: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/the-tale-of-f1s-most-tragic-rivalry-which-makes-for-compelling-viewing/10444996/
In another element of confusion to add into the mix, many drivers have been at pains to point out that Jeddah is a very different type of circuit to Bahrain - with Fernando Alonso stating that yesterday would be like a test day because so far the 2023 machines have only run in anger on the high-deg Sakhir International Circuit. So it may not be strictly the case that the pecking order will follow that seen in round one.
Remember, FP3 isn't held in totally representative conditions that the teams will face either in qualifying or tomorrow's race being earlier in the day. That all adds to the many caveats to bear in mind when considering this afternoon's final practice session.
But behind him, the picture is rather unclear as Jake Boxall-Legge outlined in his Friday practice analysis. You can read that for free here: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/what-we-learned-from-friday-practice-for-f1s-saudi-arabian-gp/10445025/
Both of yesterday's practice sessions were headed by Red Bull's world championship leader Max Verstappen. The defending winner therefore heads into FP3 in a confident mood, although said last night he doesn't expect a repeat of his Bahrain Grand Prix dominance: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/verstappen-red-bull-f1s-advantage-in-saudi-not-like-bahrain-/10444952/
Good afternoon and welcome to Autosport's live coverage of Saturday's track action from Jeddah. FP3 for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will go green in just over 15 minutes time.

By: Autosport Staff

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