Max Verstappen continues winning streak in Saudi Arabia

Max Verstappen clinched victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position on Saturday, maintaining Red Bull’s commanding start to the Formula One season with another one-two finish.

Sergio Perez secured second place under the Jeddah Corniche floodlights, crossing the finish line 13.643 seconds behind his teammate and last year’s winner. Verstappen’s triumph extends his lead in the standings to 15 points.

Charles Leclerc secured third place for Ferrari, notching his first podium of the season while also setting the fastest lap. However, the spotlight was on rookie stand-in teammate Oliver Bearman, who finished seventh and was voted Driver of the Day.

This victory marks the first occasion where Verstappen, who triumphed in a record 19 out of 22 races last year, has won the first two races of a season. Remarkably, he has now claimed victory in 19 of the last 20 races.

“Overall, a fantastic weekend for the whole team and myself. I felt really good with the car and it was the same in the race,” Verstappen said.

Verstappen’s win at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix marked his ninth consecutive victory, extending back to Japan last September, and the 56th of his career at just 26 years old.

Additionally, this victory secured his 100th career podium. Red Bull’s triumph, their 115th win, propelled them past Williams into fourth place on the all-time list of Formula One victories.

“Max was clinical in his execution of that race,” said team boss Christian Horner.

At just 18 years and 305 days old, Britain’s Bearman made his Formula One race debut, starting in 11th place as Ferrari’s youngest rookie. He stepped in admirably for Spaniard Carlos Sainz, who was sidelined due to appendicitis.

Bearman not only became the youngest British Formula One driver but also the 66th driver since the championship’s inception in 1950 to score on his debut. Despite undergoing surgery on Friday, Sainz made a cautious return to the track to witness his replacement’s remarkable performance.

“Today he’s been incredible,” said Leclerc of Bearman. “It’s hugely impressive and I’m sure he’s extremely proud. Everybody has noticed how talented he is and I’m sure it’s just a matter of time before he’s in F1.”

Red Bull currently leads the standings with 87 points, followed by Ferrari with 49 points and McLaren with 28 points. The upcoming race is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, scheduled for March 24th.