Saudi Arabian GP: Max Verstappen fastest in first practice as Red Bulls lead Aston Martins in Jeddah

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen comfortably clear of rivals in first Jeddah practice session; Fernando Alonso splits Red Bulls to take second; George Russell fourth ahead of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton; Watch Practice Two live on Sky Sports F1 at 5pm

Max Verstappen delivered another ominous display of speed to lead a Red Bull one-two in first practice at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Verstappen showed no signs of the illness that caused him to miss media duties in Jeddah on Thursday as he delivered a 1:29.617 to finish almost half a second clear of team-mate Sergio Perez.

Completing a repeat of the top three from the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix earlier this month, Fernando Alonso was third for Aston Martin, who enjoyed another hugely encouraging session with Lance Stroll fourth.

Attempting to regroup after a demoralising start to their season in Bahrain, Mercedes had George Russell in fifth a place ahead of Lewis Hamilton, but both cars were more than a second off Verstappen’s leading time.

Carlos Sainz was seventh for Ferrari, who confirmed during the session that they have installed new power units on both of their cars for the second round of the season following Charles Leclerc’s retirement in Bahrain.

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Let’s have a closer look on Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes ahead of practice here at the Saudi Arabia GP

Leclerc, who has incurred a 10-place grid penalty for installing his third control electronics unit of the season, finished 11th.

While reigning world champion Verstappen’s speed may appear ominous for rivals, Friday’s second session, under the lights, will provide conditions representative of those that will be seen in qualifying on Saturday and Sunday’s race.

More to follow…

Practice Two – in the much more representative, and faster – evening conditions in Saudi Arabia, is live on Sky Sports F1 at 5pm after build-up at 4.45pm.