Winner Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, center, celebrates on the podium flanked by second place Red Bull driver Sergio Perez of Mexico, led, and third place Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monacoon the podium of the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, in Jedda, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, March 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
Max Verstappen of Red Bull storms to a commanding victory in the fourth Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull stunned everyone by winning the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for the second time in three years at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. Rivals and even teammate Sergio Perez were left wondering what it would take to even challenge Verstappen for the the first position, let alone stay in his sights.
The current three-time world champion started the race on pole position, ahead of Perez of Red Bull and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, and went on to win one of the easiest races of a career already full of dominant victories.
Leclerc placed third on the podium, a startling eighteen seconds behind Verstappen, while Perez came in second, 13 seconds behind him.
He has categorically refuted the accusations, and the win will provide him with a little period of relief from the attention he has encountered thus far this season.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll experienced an early safety scare when he crashed out of the ninth lap, and Pierre Gasly of Alpine retired practically from the beginning of the race.
After the restart, Lando Norris of McLaren held the lead for a short while, but Verstappen quickly regained control, passing Perez to take the lead and never giving it again.
Ollie Bearman, the 18-year-old wonder from Ferrari who had taken Carlos Sainz’s seat due to appendicitis, completed a creditable seventh to earn points in his debut Grand Prix.
With 51 points, Verstappen currently tops the early-season rankings, followed by Perez (36) and Leclerc (28).
