The Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) won without trembling the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the second round of 24 of the Formula 1 season, Saturday on the Jeddah urban circuit. The three-time reigning world champion, who started from pole position, scored the 56th victory of his career, the ninth in a row, and beat his Mexican teammate Sergio Pérez, like last weekend in Bahrain.
Despite the turmoil that has shaken the team behind the scenes for a month and the start of the Christian Horner affair, cleared of accusations of “inappropriate behavior” made by an employee, who was suspended, Red Bull confirmed on the rapid Saudi route his overwhelming superiority by achieving a second double in two races.
The podium of #SaudiArabianGP
Max Verstappen wins by 13 seconds
Sergio Pérez secures double for Red Bull
Charles Leclerc takes the point for the best lap— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) March 9, 2024
Nice seventh place for the (very) young Oliver Bearman
Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), who shared the first row with Verstappen, took third place, almost 20 seconds behind Verstappen. He also snatched the point for the fastest lap in the race at the last minute during his last loop. His young British teammate Oliver Bearman, who had to replace at short notice the Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who had surgery for appendicitis on Friday, took a superb seventh place for his first Grand Prix in Formula 1.
The Briton, who started in 11th position on Saturday, became at 18 years 10 months and 1 day the third youngest driver in history to take part in an F1 Grand Prix. Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren) finished the race just off the podium, far ahead of his British teammate Lando Norris, only eighth.
Abandonment in the first round for Gasly
The Spanish veteran Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) took fifth place, ahead of the Briton George Russell (Mercedes), while the Top 10 was completed by the seven-time British world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and the surprising German Nico Hülkenberg (Haas). On the French side, there was no miracle for Alpine: the race started very badly since Pierre Gasly had to retire on the first lap due to gearbox problems, while Esteban Ocon, who started in 17th position , finished 13th.