F1 Saudi Arabia GP 2024 LIVE: Race results, updates and times as Ollie Bearman scores points on debut
Follow all the latest updates from the race in Jeddah as Bearman scores points on a terrific F1 debut
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Max Verstappen romped to another commanding win at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, as rookie British teenager Ollie Bearman completed a dream debut by beating Lewis Hamilton to finish a brilliant seventh.
Despite threatening to quit Red Bull just 24 hours previously, following another twist in the ongoing Red Bull saga, Verstappen followed his win at the season-opening round in Bahrain last Saturday with another comfortable triumph in his all-conquering machine – remarkably his 19th in 20 appearances.
Sergio Perez completed a one-two finish for Red Bull, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third. But for Bearman, just three months old when Hamilton made his debut in 2007, this will be a night he will never forget.
Handed his shock debut as an 11th-hour stand-in for Carlos Sainz, the boy from Chelmsford, 18 years, 10 months and one day, drove into the record books as the youngest British driver to start a Formula One race.
Follow all the latest updates at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Driver Standings after one race
1. Max Verstappen - 26 points
2. Sergio Perez - 18 points
3. Carlos Sainz - 15 points
4. Charles Leclerc - 12 points
5. George Russell - 10 points
6. Lando Norris - 8 points
7. Lewis Hamilton - 6 points
8. Oscar Piastri - 4 points
9. Fernando Alonso - 2 points
10. Lance Stroll - 1 point
11. Zhou Guanyu - 0 points
12. Kevin Magnussen - 0 points
13. Daniel Ricciardo - 0 points
14. Yuki Tsunoda - 0 points
15. Alex Albon - 0 points
16. Nico Hulkenberg - 0 points
17. Esteban Ocon - 0 points
18. Pierre Gasly - 0 points
19. Valtteri Bottas - 0 points
20. Logan Sargeant - 0 points
COMMENT: On International Women’s Day, Red Bull’s suspension of Christian Horner’s accuser is truly shocking
Another day in Formula 1’s never-ending soap opera – and another day further away from a conclusion to a story which threatens to rip Red Bull, and the sport, apart.
To recap the latest developments, early on Thursday it emerged that the female colleague, who raised allegations of “inappropriate, coercive behaviour” against Red Bull F1 boss Christian Horner which were cleared by an internal probe, had been suspended on full pay by Red Bull Racing.
While we don’t yet know the grounds for her suspension and whether it could be lifted, the optics of this situation, now, are beyond unpalatable. It is shocking that Formula 1 – a sport that has prided itself on making such strides on inclusivity and diversity in recent years – has allowed the matter to stretch to this point. The message it sends, on the eve of the all-female racing series F1 Academy starting its second season on International Women’s Day, is truly terrible.
Full piece below:
Red Bull’s suspension of Christian Horner’s accuser is truly shocking on IWD
Comment: The whole soap opera involving Red Bull boss Horner has now become perilous for F1
F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix race:
Teenager Ollie Bearman celebrated becoming the youngest British driver in Formula One history by qualifying 11th in his Ferrari for Saturday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Bearman, 18 years and 10 months to the day, was thrown into the deepest of ends as a last-minute stand-in for Carlos Sainz, who was hospitalised with appendicitis.
But the Essex teenager, with just one hour of practice under his belt, and having never driven an F1 machine at night, came within 0.036 seconds of toppling Lewis Hamilton and progressing to Q3.
Max Verstappen put Red Bull’s continued off-track woes to one side by taking pole position, with Charles Leclerc second, three-tenths back, and Sergio Perez third. Fernando Alonso took fourth, with George Russell and Hamilton seventh and eighth respectively for Mercedes. Hamilton was nearly one second slower than Verstappen.
F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: This was tight!
Prior to the reconnaissance laps!
What is the race schedule?
(All times GMT)
Saturday 9 March
- Race: 5pm
How can I watch it online and on TV?
The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom - and ESPN in the United States. Sky’s coverage of the race starts at 3:30pm.
Highlights of qualifying in the UK will be aired on free-to-air Channel 4 at 8:30pm (GMT) on Friday; the race highlights are at 9:30pm (GMT) on Saturday.
What is the starting grid in Saudi?
1. Max Verstappen
2. Charles Leclerc
3. Sergio Perez
4. Fernando Alonso
5. Oscar Piastri
6. Lando Norris
7. George Russell
8. Lewis Hamilton
9. Yuki Tsunoda
10. Lance Stroll
11. Ollie Bearman
12. Alex Albon
13. Kevin Magnussen
14. Daniel Ricciardo
15. Nico Hulkenberg
16. Valtteri Bottas
17. Esteban Ocon
18. Pierre Gasly
19. Logan Sargeant
20. Zhou Guanyu
Max Verstappen takes pole as Ferrari debutant Ollie Bearman impresses in Saudi Arabia
Teenager Ollie Bearman celebrated becoming the youngest British driver in Formula One history by qualifying 11th in his Ferrari for Saturday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Bearman, 18 years and 10 months to the day, was thrown into the deepest of ends as a last-minute stand-in for Carlos Sainz, who was hospitalised with appendicitis.
But the Essex teenager, with just one hour of practice under his belt, and having never driven an F1 machine at night, came within 0.036 seconds of toppling Lewis Hamilton and progressing to Q3.
Max Verstappen put Red Bull’s continued off-track woes to one side by taking pole position, with Charles Leclerc second, three tenths back, and Sergio Perez third.
Fernando Alonso took fourth, with George Russell and Hamilton seventh and eighth respectively for Mercedes. Hamilton was nearly one second slower than Verstappen.
Max Verstappen takes pole as Ferrari debutant Ollie Bearman impresses in Saudi Arabia
British 18-year-old Bearman came within 0.036 seconds of toppling Lewis Hamilton and progressing to Q3
F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Ollie Bearman...
“I woke up thinking about my F2 race. Chucked in the deep end for FP3 and qualifying. I wish Carlos the best, it was a fun opportunity.
“The track is evolving so much, the grip level is just incredible - after my first lap I was shocked! It’s a great feeling but takes some time to get used to.
“At the moment, not so proud! The racer in me knows that car was quick enough for Q3 - but in a couple of days I’ll look back on it.
“The goal was to do as many laps as possible, especially at night. I was close to the wall! Tried to get in as many laps as possible.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments