Max Verstappen won today's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the second round of the Formula 1 season. Red Bull had more to cheer about as the three-time world champion's team-mate Sergio Perez finished second on the podium, 13 seconds behind the winner. Third was Charles Leclerc with Ferrari, who also took an extra point for fastest lap.
"A good race today, the tyres were a bit cold at the end. I think we had good pace and handled the race very well. Another fantastic weekend. Great job," were the first words of Verstappen, for whom it was a ninth consecutive victory in the most prestigious car race.
However, 18-year-old talent Oliver Bearman undoubtedly stole the show. The Briton, who replaced Carlos Sainz in the ranks of the "black horses" after the operation of appendicitis of the Spaniard, coped with Lando Norris (McLaren) and Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) in the battle for seventh place in the final standings. Bearman was also named Pilot of the Day. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Fernando Alonso finished fourth and fifth respectively, with George Russell (Mercedes) finishing sixth. The top ten was closed by Nico Hulkenberg with Haas.
Verstappen leads the standings with 51 points. Perez has 36 after another second place and Leclerc is in third position with 28 points. The next race on the calendar is March 24 in Australia. /BGNES
