Red Bull’s Sergio Perez took the chequered flag in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, ahead of teammate Max Verstappen, who started from 15th on the grid. It was the team’s second successive one-two finish of the season and highlighted their dominance over other Formula One teams.
Perez started the race from pole position and fought off a challenge from Fernando Alonso, who took the lead at the start but was later penalized for an incorrect grid position. Perez regained the lead on the fourth lap, but Alonso stayed close in pace for a time. Max Verstappen weaved his way through the field, overtaking any car in front of him, even Lewis Hamilton, who eventually finished fifth.
The Race Takes a Turn
The race’s complexion changed when Lance Stroll suffered a technical failure on Lap 18, causing the deployment of a safety car. Alonso took advantage of the pit stop opportunity and simultaneously served his five-second penalty. However, the stewards ruled that his Aston Martin team had begun working on his car a fraction of a second too early, incurring a 10-second penalty.
Alonso expressed his frustration with the penalty, saying it was applied too late and that he was not informed of the penalty during the race. Alonso received a five-second penalty for an incorrect grid position and served it during a pit stop, but was later given a 10-second penalty for his team starting work on his car too early. Alonso expressed frustration, stating that he was not informed of the penalty during the race and that it was applied too late.
Perez’s Celebrations
Meanwhile, Perez rebuilt his lead beyond the reach of Verstappen and continued pressing for victory. Despite their dominant performance, Red Bull faced a moment of anxiety towards the end of the race as Verstappen reported a potential mechanical issue over the radio. Still, his car held out and even completed the fastest lap.
Perez praised his team for their work, especially in handling mechanical issues, and acknowledged having the fastest car. “We had a lot of mechanical issues, and the guys stayed on top of that. We will keep pushing hard. And the most important thing is that we have the fastest car,” he told Sky Sports.
Verstappen Takes the Lead
Verstappen’s fastest lap gave him a one-point lead over Perez in the drivers’ championship. The next race is the Australian Grand Prix on April 2.
Red Bull’s one-two finish highlights their strength in the sport and sends a message to their rivals. Alonso’s 100th career podium finish was tainted by the late penalty, but he will still take heart from his performance. The excitement and unpredictability of the Formula One season continue, and fans are eagerly awaiting the next race in Australia.
