Max Verstappen continued his Formula 1 dominance by clinching victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday, firmly establishing his bid for a fourth consecutive championship title this season.
Despite the upheaval within Red Bull, Verstappen showcased exceptional control on the track, securing his second win of the season in just two races. However, the spotlight was also on 18-year-old Oliver Bearman, who made a remarkable debut for Ferrari, finishing seventh in his first-ever F1 race as a stand-in.
“A fantastic weekend for the whole team and also for myself. I felt really good with the car,” Verstappen expressed.
Verstappen’s victory was secured with ease, leading ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez by 8.6 seconds on the road, extending to 13.6 seconds once Perez’s time penalty was considered. Charles Leclerc of Ferrari claimed the third position.
“It was a bit of a boring race because Red Bull was a bit too quick and behind we had a bit of a gap, but we took the maximum points we could today,” remarked Leclerc.
Verstappen started from pole position and successfully defended his lead against Leclerc at the first corner, mirroring his performance from the season-opener in Bahrain. The race saw a brief interruption due to Lance Stroll’s crash, during which Verstappen capitalized on a tire change during the safety car period and effortlessly regained the lead after the restart.
Bearman’s impressive seventh-place finish marked a significant milestone, stepping in for Carlos Sainz Jr. on short notice after the latter underwent surgery for appendicitis.
Max Verstappen’s win not only extends his streak of consecutive victories but also highlights his unwavering dominance in recent seasons with Red Bull. Despite speculation surrounding his future with the team, Verstappen emphasized the importance of unity within the team, expressing hope for continued focus and collaboration.
The race also unfolded amid reports of internal strife within Red Bull, with Verstappen’s mentor Helmut Marko’s future in question. However, Verstappen emphasized the importance of maintaining team cohesion and expressed optimism for the team’s continued success.
