2024 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Race Recap

2024 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Race Recap،

Red Bull's Max Verstappen set the fastest lap on Thursday in opening practice for the Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, while Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso is second on the timesheet.

The second floodlit round of the 24-race season will take place on Saturday evening at Jeddah's Corniche circuit, a day earlier than usual, to welcome the start of Ramadan on Sunday.

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Three-time world champion Verstappen set the fastest lap of one minute 29.659 seconds, 0.186 faster than Spaniard Alonso, with teammate and last year's race winner Sergio Perez third, 0.023 further behind .

The lap time – in unrepresentative afternoon conditions since the race is scheduled for after dark – was comparatively slower than last year's fastest in early practice, a 1:29.617 also directed by Verstappen.

Max Verstappen looked relaxed before setting the fastest time in first practice in Jeddah.

George Russell finished fourth for Mercedes, ahead of Charles Leclerc and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, the latter coming on duty after feeling unwell on Wednesday.

“The track is like Mario Kart. There are plastic bags everywhere,” Leclerc reported on the team radio.

McLaren's Lando Norris was seventh, Mercedes' seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton eighth and Aston Martin's Lance Stroll ninth, despite breaking the barriers, while Williams' Alex Albon was 10th.