Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen on pole with Oliver Bearman to start 11th

Bearman was drafted in by Ferrari on the morning of qualifying after regular driver Carlos Sainz was diagnosed with appendicitis, which needed immediate surgery.

The Spaniard is recovering in hospital after a successful operation, the team said before qualifying.

It meant Bearman had just one hour of practice to prepare for his first qualifying session, aged just 18 years and 10 months, making him the third youngest F1 driver in history.

Bearman was just over 0.3secs off Leclerc on his first lap, a highly impressive start, but he admitted that it was a “messy” session after that.

He brushed the wall on the way into the high-speed chicane of Turns 21 and 22 on his push lap in the second session and his final attempt was just 0.036secs too slow to qualify him for the top 10.

Leclerc said: “I hope Carlos will recover quickly and on Olly’s side he has done an incredible job.

“With only one session in P3, he was straight up to speed and comfortable with the car. I am happy for him. It’s a very special day. And the first race after only one practice session is even more special.”

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