Sergio Perez takes surprise pole position for Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Sergio Perez claimed pole position for the second round of the season.Pic: Hassan Ammar/AP

Sergio Perez took a surprise pole position for Sunday’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after his Red Bull team-mate Max Verstappen suffered a mechanical failure in qualifying.

Verstappen will line up only in 15th, but Perez salvaged some joy for Red Bull by beating Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to second, with Fernando Alonso third for Aston Martin.