Red Bull's Perez takes Saudi Arabian GP pole, Hamilton out in Q1

Red Bull's Sergio Perez will start from the top spot at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday after posting the fastest time during Saturday's qualifying session. The pole is the first of Perez's career.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will start second and third, respectively, while Perez's Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen begins fourth.

The race will go ahead as scheduled despite a missile strike less than six miles from the circuit in Jeddah on Friday. Drivers and team officials held hours of meetings well into the night before ultimately deciding to proceed.

For the first time since the 2017 Brazilian Grand Prix, Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton was knocked out in Q1.

After car trouble forced both Perez and Verstappen out in the late stages of the season opener in Bahrain, the 32-year-old found the pace to overtake Leclerc with an incredible lap.

"It took me a couple of races! But what a lap man, it was unbelievable," Perez said.

After finishing one-two in Bahrain, Leclerc and Sainz continued Ferrari's strong start to the season.

Leclerc was pleased with his showing but praised Perez for his performance.

"I am very happy with the lap - I more or less put it together. Congratulations to Checo (Perez). He did an incredible job today," Leclerc said.

Sainz is looking forward to a great competition with Red Bull on Sunday as the two teams occupy the first four spots on the grid.

"It's going to be exciting. All four cars mixed up between the Ferraris and the Red Bulls," Sainz said.

Haas' Mick Schumacher was involved in a massive crash during Q2, which delayed the proceedings for about one hour. He was conscious afterward and taken to a medical center.

Williams' Nicholas Latifi, who was also involved in a crash during Q1, will begin the race in 19th place.