F1 Saudi Arabian GP live commentary and updates - Qualifying

Hamilton in and then back out on a new set of softs, according to our data screen. That indicates Ferrari feels he isn't safe on that 1m28.642s.

Meanwhile at the perilous end of the grid, it's largely the usual suspects: P15 downwards is Bearman, Doohan, Lawson, Gasly, Ocon and Bortoleto. Alpine always like to leave it late for a push...

Piastri didn't improve on his second push lap and returns to the pits. Leclerc and Hamilton still circulating, while Verstappen is back out on the same tyres he used earlier.

If you're wondering where Lewis Hamilton is, so is he: currently P10, 0.837s off Norris.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images

After a couple of cool-down laps, Lando Norris goes 1m27.805 to extend his advantage over Piastri to 0.214s.

That opening salvo has nudged Leclerc back to P6 - Yuki Tsunoda went P5 with 1m28.424s.

TV footage shows Kimi Antonelli dodging a black bin bag on track on his way to a 1m28.597s which puts him P7.

Piastri usurps Norris to the tune of 0.007s. But Max Verstappen is close – P3, 0.129s off the benchmark time. George Russell posts a 1m28.28s to go P4 behind the McLarens and Verstappen.

Of the first frontrunners to essay push laps, Lando Norris is top on 1m28.026s, 0.526s ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Alex Albon and Lewis Hamilton P3 and P4 - but now Max Verstappen is out on track!

Esteban Ocon gets the first lap on the board. 1m29.924s. It's going to be a tough job to balance playing themselves in to this track with getting maximum value from the few new tyres available.

In other Red Bull news, you might have noticed Sebastian Vettel getting over his aversion to Saudi Arabia and making some personal appearances ahead of the weekend in a push to encourage more women to get involved in motor racing in the country. Helmut Marko has now anointed Seb as his preferred successor...

In terms of developments today, Red Bull has confirmed that Yuki Tsunoda will have some intensive simulator time late this week and a Testing of Previous Cars session at Silverstone. The aim there is to give him more reference points as he tries to get to grips with the bothersome RB21. Lessons learned from throwing Liam Lawson in at the deep end.

Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: James Sutton / Motorsport Images

In case you missed it earlier, the McLaren pairing of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri demonstrated a sizzling pace in FP3. While Piastri led for most of the session, Norris just edged ahead of him late on – although neither driver improved during their final runs.

Most drivers focused on performance runs on Pirelli's soft rubber during the session - which, since it was held during daytime, was relatively unrepresentative. Qualifying and the race both take place after sunset.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images

THE HOUR IS ALMOST UPON US

Welcome back to live text coverage of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend. In less than 20 minutes we're on the ice for qualifying...