March 09, (THEWILL)- Defending Formula One world champion, Max Verstappen, led from pole position to claim a commanding victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Saturday, extending Red Bull’s imperious start to the 2024 season.
The 26-year-old Dutchman crossed the line 13.643 seconds clear of teammate Sergio Perez, as Red Bull secured their second consecutive one-two finish.
Verstappen’s sublime drive marked his ninth successive race win, a streak stretching back to last September’s Japanese Grand Prix. It was also the triple world champion’s 56th career victory and 100th podium, underlining his status as one of Formula One’s all-time greats.
Red Bull’s 115th win elevated the Milton Keynes-based team above Williams into fourth place on the list of most successful constructors. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc claimed the final podium spot, earning a bonus point for the fastest lap of the race.
The Monegasque driver praised the performance of temporary teammate Oliver Bearman, who finished an impressive seventh on his F1 debut as the Scuderia’s youngest-ever rookie at 18 years and 305 days old.
Bearman was voted Driver of the Day by fans for his composed display, standing in for the appendicitis-stricken Carlos Sainz.
Among the other Britons, Oscar Piastri took fourth for McLaren, while George Russell was sixth for Mercedes, ahead of Lando Norris and seven-time world champion, Lewis Hamilton, in eighth and ninth respectively. Nico Hulkenberg collected the final point in tenth for Haas.
The race was interrupted by a safety car period on lap seven after Lance Stroll crashed his Aston Martin into the barriers at turn 22.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
