Sergio Perez wins from Max Verstappen as Red Bull dominance continues at Saudi Arabian GP, Lewis Hamilton fifth

ByEurosport

Updated 19/03/2023 at 23:30 GMT

Red Bull's stranglehold on the 2023 F1 season went up a notch at the Saudi Arabian GP as they once again secured a one-two, with Sergio Perez this time taking victory from Max Verstappen. By contrast it was a miserable afternoon for Ferrari, whose drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc finished sixth and seventh respectively. Lewis Hamilton ended fifth behind George Russell for Mercedes.

Red Bull secured a one-two win at the Saudi Arabian GP on Sunday evening as Sergio Perez led Max Verstappen to a lockout victory.

Thanks to a fastest lap bonus snatched late on, Verstappen retained the lead in the overall standings.

From the off, Fernando Alonso burst through to pole but was almost immediately punished for improper start procedures, and Perez swiftly won back his place before the Spaniard was able to serve his five-second penalty.

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Alonso had been looking for his first win since 2012, but was never likely to challenge after the early exchanges.

Current champion and Perez’s Red Bull team-mate Verstappen pushed from 15th through the pack, as did Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

It took half the race for Verstappen to motor past everyone but his team-mate Perez, with Alonso holding on from George Russell and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The Dutchman was starting from way back after driveshaft problems in qualifying prevented him from completing the last two sessions, and he became increasingly concerned towards the end of the race with a potential technical fault at high speeds, which was quickly followed by Perez reporting a heavy brake pedal.

Red Bull Racing's Mexican driver Sergio Perez celebrates after winning the Saudi Arabia Formula One Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Jeddah on March 19, 2023.

Image credit: Getty Images

Alonso ultimately finished in third for the final podium spot, with Russell fourth and Hamilton fifth. The Aston Martin driver was demoted to fourth after it was adjudged that his team had worked on his car while he was serving a five-second penalty. That decision would later be overturned.

Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Leclerc took sixth and seventh respectively.

DRIVER OF THE DAY - Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

The Dutchman started in 15th and watched on as his team-mate started from the front and had relatively little to do for most of the race.

However, the current champion showed his ruthless side while not challenging his colleague as he might have perhaps done in the past.

Instead he waited until the death to nab the point for the fastest lap of the day, and edged to the top of the pile going into the next round.

WHERE THE RACE WAS WON AND LOST

1/50 ALONSO THROUGH - Perez can't hold him off, and in the ensuing tight racing it looks like Piastri may have lost some kit.

2/50 ALONSO INVESTIGATED - Piastri confirms the damage, and Alonso is being investigated for an improper starting procedure.

3/50 ALONSO PENALTY - The Spaniard is given a five-second penalty which he'll have to serve next time he's in the pits.

4/50 PEREZ RETAKES THE LEAD - The Mexican is back in front.

18/50 STROLL TOLD TO STOP - Yellow flag out as the Aston Martin is told to pull over. It's a tight circuit so we'll expect a safety car soon.

26/50 RED BULL ONE-TWO - Perez and Verstappen lead, then Alonso, and it's then the Mercedes pair led by Russell.

38/50 VERSTAPPEN WORRIES - "It makes a weird noise at high speeds," the Dutchman complains. There's concern in his voice and no wonder, given his driveshaft problem in qualifying.

50/50 - PEREZ WINS - The Mexican leads the way over the line with Verstappen second - but the latter has the fastest lap and therefore retains the lead of the championship.

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