In a weekend surrounded in controversy, and with questions as to whether the Grand Prix should have gone ahead, World Champion Max Verstappen prevailed to claim top spot in Saudi Arabia.
Following a fascinating qualifying session on Saturday, it was Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez who took pole, pipping Championship leader Charles Leclerc by just two hundredths of a second to claim the first of his career. Carlos Sainz rounded off the top three and eventual race winner Verstappen completed the top four.
Of course we can't miss out on the shock weekend that Lewis Hamilton had in the Mercedes, knocked out in Q1, but ultimately starting 15th on the grid due to a non-start by Haas's Mick Schumacher. The seven time world champion ended up in 10th at the end of the race, partly due to confusion with his team whether he was to pit under yellow flags, and he ended up missing the entry by 200 yards or so. A weekend to forget for Hamilton, who found himself in unfamiliar territory in Jeddah.
"Is there even a point for that position?"
Pole sitter Sergio Perez had an unlucky Sunday, as Red Bull were seemingly bluffed by Ferrari in the pit lane, forcing the Mexican to come in earlier than he would have perhaps wanted to. To make matters worse, the Safety Car was then brought out due to Nicholas Latifi crashing, which dropped Perez to third behind Leclerc and Verstappen after 17 laps.
Even the Alpine's had a neat battle, with Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso going to wheel to wheel, eventually the former being told to back off. But both drivers had very different races in the end, with Ocon narrowly beating McLaren's Lando Norris by just one tenth at the line to hold sixth position, and to continue Alpine's impressive start to the season.
The veteran Spaniard however, ended up retiring from the race on Lap 35 due to an undisclosed issue as of yet for Alpine, with Alonso stating he lost power.
But in the end it was the two apparent title favourites thus far that stole the show in Jeddah, providing more scintillating action following the brilliant racing in Bahrain.
For 42 laps it was a rather comfortable afternoon for Leclerc, but following a flurry of retirements, the Virtual Safety Car was brought out which gave Verstappen a chance to get closer to Leclerc and he used it to his full advantage.
And for the next few laps it was back and forth like Bahrain, with both drivers passing each other in both DRS zones. But lap 46 was the decisive one, as Verstappen kept his patience as they rounded the final corner and the flying Dutchman passed the Monegasque, ultimately claiming his first victory of the season. If these two are to go at it all season, then it will be a long season to look forward to.
Coming Up
Next up F1 has their first two week break of the season, which culminates with the return of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne where teams will either look to continue their strong start, or get back on track.
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