By Dylan Bettencourt
Sports Editor
When Max Verstappen had gearbox issues in Saturday’s qualifying, a race win in Saudi Arabia seemed near impossible.
It sounded far fetched to predict that he would even finish on the podium when the chequered flag was waved on Sunday.
However, the two-time world champion showed his talent, bringing his Red Bull car home in second place, jumping up from 15th.
His teammate Sergio Perez claimed victory, winning a race for the first time with Verstappen behind him.
Formula 1 fans held their breath expecting team orders to switch Perez and Verstappen around but that team order did not arrive.
It was not smooth sailing for the Red Bulls as both drivers complained of several issues with the car throughout the race that could prove a weakness for the championship favourites.
It is a second consecutive one-two for the 2022 constructor champions as they extend their lead at the top of the pile.
An early safety car benefited Verstappen tremendously as he was able to pit for a fresh set of tyres and climb a few positions at the same time.
The safety car came after Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was ordered to stop his car due to an issue with his front brakes.
Fernando Alonso in the other Aston Martin crossed the line in third in what would have been the 100th podium of his career.
But he and his team served a five second penalty in the pit lane incorrectly, which earned him a 10 second penalty after the race.
George Russel in the Mercedes benefited from the post-race penalty, jumping to third to earn his first podium of the season.
Lewis Hamilton in the other Mercedes finished in fifth spot.
The Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc came behind them in sixth and seventh.
The two-by-two pattern continued as the Alpine team of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly crossed the line in eighth and ninth.
And finishing with the final point in 10th spot was Kevin Magnussen in the Haas.
Formula 1 takes to the track again in the final weekend of the month with the Australian Grand Prix.
Pictured above: Sergio Perez
Image source: Twitter
