Motorsport: Max Verstappen wins Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as Red Bull claim another one-two finish 

Max Verstappen celebrates the victory of the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia.
Max Verstappen celebrates the victory of the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia. Photo credit: Getty Images

Max Verstappen has claimed the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position as Red Bull continued their dominant start to the Formula One season with a second one-two in as many races.  

The victory was a ninth in a row for Verstappen, dating back to Japan last September, and the 56th of the 26-year-old Dutch driver's career.  

It was also his 100th career podium while Red Bull's 115th win lifted them ahead of Williams in fourth place on the all-time list.  

Mexican Sergio Perez was runner-up under the Jeddah Corniche floodlights, last year's winner taking the chequered flag 13.643 seconds behind his triple-world champion teammate.

  

It was the first time Verstappen, winner of a record 19 of 22 races last year, has won the first two races of a season.  

Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari, taking a bonus point for the fastest lap and earning his first podium of the season.  

"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.  

Max Verstappen leads the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen leads the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. Photo credit: Getty Images

Britain's Oliver Bearman, making his F1 race debut as Ferrari's youngest rookie at 18 years and 305 days old after Spaniard Carlos Sainz was sidelined by appendicitis, finished seventh and was voted Driver of the Day.  

"Today he's been incredible," said Leclerc of his temporary teammate. "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."  

Oscar Piastri was fourth for McLaren, with Fernando Alonso fifth for Aston Martin and George Russell sixth for Mercedes and the first of four British drivers following each other across the line.