Saudi Arabian GP: Max Verstappen outduels Charles Leclerc for dramatic win; Lewis Hamilton 10th

F1’s young stars went wheel to wheel in an epic finale to the race a week after their Bahrain exploits – though this time the world champion came out on top.

Max Verstappen outduelled Charles Leclerc to win the Saudi Arabian GP and get revenge on his rival following another spectacular battle between the Red Bull and Ferrari drivers to start Formula 1 2022.

After Sergio Perez lost his lead following an unfortunately-timed Safety Car, the sport’s young stars went wheel to wheel in an epic finale to the race – a week after their Bahrain exploits – though this time Verstappen came out on top.

The world champion overtook Leclerc into Turn 1 with just four laps remaining to claim a vital first win of the season after his late DNF in the opener.

Verstappen’s eventual pass followed laps of feisty yet fine racing.

“Well done to Max, that was nice,” said Leclerc in a clear message of respect for a driver he could well battle over the season. “It’s hard racing but fair. Every race should be like this.”

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Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen engaged in an battle for the lead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Carlos Sainz completed the podium in the other Ferrari, ahead of Red Bull’s Perez and Mercedes’ George Russell, whose team-mate Lewis Hamilton only managed a single point in 10th after a mixed evening.

Perez was leading comfortably from pole before pitting on Lap 14, which was immediately followed by a Nicholas Latifi crash and early safety car, allowing Leclerc, Verstappen and Sainz to pit and overhaul him.

Hamilton was also unlucky in his pursuit of a strong finish.

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Sergio Perez was unfortunate to lose the race lead after Nicholas Latifi’s crash brought out the Safety Car.

The seven-time world champion had progressed from 16th to sixth, but after three retirements in a matter of moments – for Fernando Alonso, Daniel Ricciardo and Valtteri Bottas – Hamilton wanted to pit under the Virtual Safety Car before the pit-lane closed as he attempted to.

That dropped him back to 12th, though he progressed back into the points late on.

Lando Norris scored McLaren’s first points of the season, and Pierre Gasly’s AlphaTauris, making up for Yuki Tsunoda’s reliability failure on his way to the grid.

Kevin Magnussen also impressively scored points for Haas again.

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Lewis Hamilton moved up to sixth place after overtaking the Haas of Kevin Magnussen.

Saudi Arabian GP Race Result: Top 10
1) Max Verstappen, Red Bull
2) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
3) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
4) Sergio Perez, Red Bull
5) George Russell, Mercedes
6) Esteban Ocon, Alpine
7) Lando Norris, McLaren
8) Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri
9) Kevin Magnussen, Haas
10) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes

More to follow.

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