Checo’s first pole!

Red Bull driver Sergio Pérez pulled off a late shock in the final round of qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, edging past Charles Leclerc by two-hundredths of a second. It was Pérez’s 215th attempt at taking the pole, the longest in the sport’s history.

He is the first Mexican driver in Formula One history to take the pole position. Ferrari’s Leclerc and Carlos Sainz took P2 and P3, respectively, while Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen will be fourth.

“Whatever he had for lunch, breakfast and dinner last night—we’re going to feed him the same tomorrow,” team boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports in reaction to Pérez’s pole.

Pérez was delighted: “It was THE perfect lap. I could do 1000 laps here and not match this one. It’s a great satisfaction on a the most difficult track of the season.”