JEDDAH: Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed his second Saudi Arabian Grand Prix win in three years in devastating style at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, to leave rival drivers and even teammate Sergio Perez wondering what they will have to do to keep him in their sights, never mind challenge for first place.
The reigning and three-time world champion started on pole, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Perez, and proceeded to cruise to one of the most comfortable victories of a career already packed with commanding triumphs.
Perez finished in second place, 13 seconds behind Verstappen, while Leclerc grabbed third on the podium, a staggering 18 seconds in arrears.
It was a welcome victory for Red Bull, who have enjoyed a dominant start to the season on the track but endured a turbulent one off it with team principal Christian Horner embroiled in controversy relating to alleged inappropriate behavior toward a female colleague.
He has steadfastly denied the allegations, and the victory will give him a brief spell of respite from the scrutiny he has faced so far this season.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly retired almost at the start of the race, and there was an early safety scare when Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll crashed out the eighth lap.
McLaren’s Lando Norris led briefly after the restart, but it was not long before Verstappen re-established dominance, taking the lead ahead of Perez and never looking remotely like relinquishing it.
Ferrari’s 18-year-old sensation Ollie Bearman, who had replaced appendicitis victim Carlos Sainz, finished a creditable seventh to score points at his first grand prix.
Verstappen now leads the early-season standings with 51 points, with Perez on 36 and Leclerc on 28.
The night finished with fireworks lighting up the Jeddah sky. But the most explosive performance of the night belonged to Verstappen, who already looks a certainty to win a third F1 title in a row.
