The practice sessions for the Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the fifth round of the Formula 1 World Championship, began today at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the fastest street circuit in the world, for the fifth consecutive year, under the supervision of the Ministry of Sport.
Day one featured two practice sessions for the drivers. French driver Pierre Gasly of the Alpine team topped the first session with the fastest lap time of 1 minute, 29.239 seconds.
British driver Lando Norris of McLaren came in second, just 0.007 seconds behind, while Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc of Ferrari placed third, trailing by 0.070 seconds.
In the second practice session, Lando Norris secured the top spot with a lap time of 1 minute, 28.267 seconds. His teammate, Australian driver Oscar Piastri, followed in second place, 0.163 seconds behind, while reigning world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull finished third, 0.280 seconds behind.
The Formula 1 stc Saudi Arabian Grand Prix continues tomorrow with the third and final free practice session at 4:30 pm, lasting for one hour. It will be followed by the qualifying round at 8:00 pm, which will determine the starting grid for the main race on Sunday.
The event at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit also includes a wide range of accompanying activities enjoyed by the large crowds in attendance, especially in the Fan Zone, which features numerous entertainment and informational booths.
The official Formula 1 store is also present, offering a variety of team merchandise and accessories.
Lando Norris currently leads the overall standings in the Formula 1 World Championship with 77 points, followed by his teammate Oscar Piastri with 74 points, while Dutch driver Max Verstappen holds third place with 69 points.