Formula 1
DIJON-PRENOIS ALL OVER AGAIN MAX BATTLES LECLERC FOR THE VICTORY IN SAUDI ARABIA!
Two races into the 2022 Formula 1 season and there is no doubt that it will be at least a two-horse race — and perhaps a four-horse race — as Max Verstappen was able to get his Red Bull Racing car past the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc in the final laps to snatch the race victory at the Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia.
The win will help Verstappen and his team breathe a little easier, as a double DNF at the season-opening race in Bahrain meant, coupled with Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz Jr.’s one-two finish, put them in an early hole.
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – MARCH 27: Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 leads Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving (16) the Ferrari F1-75 and the rest of the field into turn one at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 27, 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool.
The gremlins that plagued Red Bull at Bahrain appear to have been vanquished for the moment, as Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez, grabbed the pole and was comfortably leading the race until a safety car period brought out by a hard crash from Nicholas Latifi in his Williams came just when Perez had pitted. Then, returning to the circuit, the Mexican driver had a safety car infraction with Sainz that resulted in him giving the Ferrari driver the top position, and just like that Perez had dropped from first to fourth.
Leclerc inherited the lead with Verstappen right behind him, and when a late virtual safety car period tightened up the field a bit, Verstappen started his attack. The two traded positions several times before Verstappen was able to make it stick, then held on for the race win.
“It was a hard battle at the front,” Verstappen said, observing that the Ferrari cars “are quicker on the corners, we are quicker on the straight, a little more pace. It wasn’t easy, playing those little tricks. But we’ve kickstarted our season. The cars, when you are within a half-second, you can have a really good exit. Maybe a little harder to plan your pass.”
For his part, Leclerc appreciated the respect the two raced each other with, and even radioed Verstappen after the finish to say as much.
MAX VERSTAPEN:
“It was a tough and crazy race today. I had a lot of fun battling with Charles again, I really enjoyed it and it’s not easy to get past him, patience is always key, especially if you want to fight for the Championship. In the beginning it was pretty difficult to follow but I think once we swapped to the hard tyre we were able to push more and the pace was better.
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – MARCH 27: The car of Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing is pushed into position on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 27, 2022 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool .
We played the long game on the tyres which seemed to pay off. Towards the end of the race it felt like we were doing lots of quali laps, which was intense but really cool. Ultimately, we were able to win and we can be very proud of that as a Team. It wasn’t easy out there, but I think we maximised all that we could today. It was really unlucky for Checo with the timing of the safety car but we have plenty of races ahead of us where we can make up for it.”