Red Bull’s Max Verstappen successfully bounced back after a disappointing start to the 2022 Formula 1 season. After failing to finish the Bahrain Grand Prix last week, Verstappen not only completed the Saudi Arabia GP but did it by being the first across the line.
Verstappen started the race from the No. 4 position in the grid but managed to overtake Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) almost instantly. Then, after the safety car was deployed on Lap 16, the Dutchman used the commotion to advance to the second position. What ensued was a thrilling battle between him and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, the winner of the Bahrain GP.
Leclerc spent most of the race in the first position, successfully deflecting Verstappen’s attack. However, things changed after McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo got stuck in the pit lane on Lap 37. A virtual safety car was deployed, allowing Verstappen to cut into Leclerc’s lead even more and get into the position for overtaking.
Verstappen first took the No. 1 position on Lap 42, but Leclerc recouped it one lap later. Then in Lap 47, Verstappen once again got past Leclerc but this time managed to hold onto it and get his first points of the season.
Leclerc’s teammate Sainz also finished at the podium, while Red Bull’s second driver Sergio Perez took the No. 4 finish. On the other hand, Verstappen’s biggest rival Lewis Hamilton had a disappointing race. After starting from No. 15, Hamilton only managed to get up to No. 10 to win one point.
