Saudi GP 2024: Max Verstappen Tops FP1!

The first practice session for the Saudi GP 2024 took place today and Red Bull's Max Verstappen ranked first with a lap time of 1m29.659s. 

Although, Verstappen complained about strange engine behavior, yet he was still able to finish first in P1. 

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso finished second, while Verstappen teammate Sergio Perez finished third. 

Mercedes George Russell finished fourth and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished fifth. 

Plastic bags were floating across the circuit, which made Leclerc say, "The track is like Mario Kart, there are plastic bags everywhere. 

His teammate Carlos Sainz Jr. finished sixth although he was suffering from some health issues. 

The remaining four positions in the top 10 were occupied in the following order by Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton, Lance Stroll, and Alexander Albon. 

Stroll secured ninth position despite being confined to the garage for minor damage to the left front of his Aston Martin. 

The second practice session will take place later in the evening at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit and Verstappen seems to have set the benchmark for the weekend!  

Image source: @redbullracing Instagram page