Verstappen wins Saudi Arabian GP, Bearman 7th in his F1 debut

Max Verstappen claimed a ninth straight victory after being dominant in the second race of the season at the Jeddah street circuit, Sergio Perez completed a 1-2 win for Red Bull while Oliver Bearman impressed in the opening Formula 1 race.

Verstappen controlled the race in his own style from start to finish, although Norris led several laps for McLaren after not pitting during the early safety car, and although Norris was investigated by the stewards for an early start during the race he was not penalised.

Most of the drivers chose medium tyres for the start of the race, except for Bearman and Bottas, who opted for soft, and Verstappen kept the lead at the start ahead of Leclerc and Perez, while Gasly had to stop in the pits after just one lap due to a problem with the gearbox.

Piastri overtook Alonso on the second lap in a duel for fourth while Perez needed two more laps to overtake Leclerc for second.

Stroll hit the wall at the top of Turn 22 on lap seven which prompted a safety car during which all but four drivers pitted for tyre changes.

Only Norris, who took the lead, Hamilton, who was third at the time, Hulkenberg and Zhou remained on the track, but Norris’ lead did not last long as on lap 13 Verstappen overtook him before braking for the first corner.

The drivers who entered the pits for hard tyres during the safety car had to watch out for tyre wear so they could last until the end, while the drivers who stayed on the track tried to stay as long as possible to take advantage of the possible exit of the safety car.

But the safety car didn’t come out again so Red Bull easily held the top two positions with Verstappen and Perez while Leclerc had a quiet race in third place.

Piastri had a great performance in fourth place for McLaren after a big fight with Hamilton whom he was unable to overtake despite the faster car because his MCL38 had more downforce and not enough speed on the straight to match Mercedes.

Alonso finished fifth, separating the McLaren drivers, and the two-time world champion was not stopped even by a ‘kiss to the wall’ in the late stages of the race.

Bearman finished his first F1 race in an impressive seventh place after a cautious start, and in the finale he managed to hold off Norris and Hamilton, who finished eighth and ninth.

Hulkenberg scored the last point in today’s race, which is the first time this season that a team other than Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Aston Martin has scored a point.

The next race is scheduled for two weeks in Australia.

SAUDI ARABIAN GP RESULTS

Fastest lap: Charles Leclerc – 1:31.632 (lap 50)

DRIVERS’ CHAMPIONSHIP AFTER 2/24 RACES

CONSTRUCTORS’ CHAMPIONSHIP