“It was delicious,” Max Verstappen shouted over the radio after his impressive victory in the Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia. The world champion in Red Bull Racing defeated Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in a thrilling battle on the narrow street circuit in Jeddah.
The two duel to the end. “We fought hard and it was a breath. It wasn’t easy, but in the end it worked,” said the Dutchman after his 21st victory in Formula One.
Tires
Verstappen saw that Leclerc had more and more problems with his tires towards the end of the race, although he also noted that the rubber was wearing out faster than he would have liked. “Then I finally had the opportunity to attack, but it was very difficult to judge where I could pass. It was also very exciting, because when I passed him, he could still get close to me. I am very happy with the win, my season can start already now” , said Limberger, who pulled out three laps before the end of the opening race a week ago in Bahrain and scored no points.
Are you ready for more races like this between Red Bull and Ferrari?
Max tells us more about that! #MaxVerstappen # beware #SaudiArabianGP pic.twitter.com/xbw1cl4y6u– Viaplaysportnl (@viaplaysportnl) March 27, 2022
Read also: Verstappen wins in Jeddah after a stubborn fight with Leclerc
luck
Verstappen admitted he was a bit lucky with the safety car, which derailed after 17 of 50 laps due to a Nicholas Latifi (Williams) crash. “As a result, I went from third to second. Then I had a really good speed and could try to catch up with Leclerc,” Verstappen explained to Viaplay.
DR
He only got a chance to attack when Fernando Alonso and Daniel Ricciardo had to retire when there was a so-called virtual safety car in place and Verstappen was able to get close enough to use the DRS. This allowed him to give extra gas in the long run. Verstappen and Leclerc then engaged in a splendid wheel-to-wheel battle, taking turns to overtake each other. “Leclerc was very fast through corners and I was very fast on the straight. It wasn’t easy to get past that because Charles played smart tricks in the last corner.”
First win of the year at Max! #SaudiArabianGP #MaxVerstappen pic.twitter.com/t2F4pMW2Qz
– Viaplaysportnl (@viaplaysportnl) March 27, 2022
Difficult but fair
“It wasn’t enough, obviously disappointed that I didn’t win, but I enjoyed the race. It was tough, but fair. Every race has to be like this,” Leclerc said after the race.
“I was faster in the corners, but Max is on the straights. I rarely had to push to the limit like that, it was very difficult to get Max off me. The race was going on at the limit, but with respect said the driver from Monaco.
How good is Max vs. Charles?! #SaudiArabianGP # F1 pic.twitter.com/e0Tdl9Kpm5
– Formula 1 (@F1) March 27, 2022
World Cup standings
Leclerc, who won the first race, remains at the top of the World Cup with 45 points. Sainz (33 points) also has more points than Limburger, who overtook Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell in the standings. Hamilton came in tenth place in Jeddah and Russell fifth.
Australia
The nascent Formula 1 season will continue in two weeks with the Australian Grand Prix.
