Dutchman Max Verstappen, world champion for the past three seasons, won the Saudi Grand Prix on Saturday, the second race of the current season of the Formula 1 world championship.
Verstappen won the first two races of the current season after winning the Bahrain Grand Prix at the season opener last week.
Amid the international coronation ceremony, Prince Abdulaziz Al-Faisal, Saudi Minister of Sports, crowned the Dutch competitor.
In the conditions in Bahrain, Red Bull dominated first and second place, with Mexican Sergio Perez taking second, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc third, followed by his Spanish team-mate Carlos Sainz in Bahrain.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastre was fourth, Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso fifth, Mercedes driver George Russell sixth, then young Briton Oliver Bierman, Ferrari driver, seventh, McLaren driver Lando Norris eighth, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton ninth. Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg was tenth.
Verstappen won his 56th Grand Prix race by starting from pole position, while Perez finished second despite receiving a 5-second penalty for an unsafe start.
The young Ferrari driver, Berman, shone in his first appearance at the Grand Prix races, finishing seventh after a tired Carlos Sainz took over.
Verstappen and Perez continued their form in the new season, despite the crisis facing Red Bull following an investigation into Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who was accused of inappropriate behavior by a female team member before declaring no wrongdoing.
Red Bull decided to suspend the employee who made the complaint against Horner, while team adviser Helmut Marko confirmed he could face the same fate, which could affect Verstappen's future, even if the Dutch driver's contract is extended until 2028.
But Red Bull GmbH CEO Oliver Mintzlaff said in press reports at Jeddah that Verstappen will be with the team, saying he believes Helmut Mintzlaff had a very good discussion and made everything clear. Our goal is to win the World Championship.
Verstappen said: “In general, a great weekend for the whole team and for me. I had a great feeling in the car and the same thing happened during the race.”
He added: “The last time was a bit more than we expected, but with the safety car you have to move forward.”
He continued: “We had good speed everywhere and we were able to handle it, so in general we are very happy.”
Verstappen, who started from pole position, again dominated from the start, while Leclerc battled for second place with Perez, who moved up to second on the fourth lap.
Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll's car hit the barriers on lap seven, prompting the safety car to come out.
With the entry of the safety car, the drivers rushed to the pits, which temporarily put McLaren driver Blando Norris in first place, even though he started the race from sixth place, as he and a group of drivers led by Hamilton did so. Don't enter the pit to get the tires.
Perez received a 5-second penalty for an unsafe start after a near collision with Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso.
Lando Norris escaped punishment before taking the lead on the tenth lap, but Verstappen needed just 3 more laps to return to favorite position to claim his ninth consecutive Grand Prix victory.
Perez moved up to second and Leclerc to third, with Norris waiting a long time before heading to the pits, then finishing eighth behind Berman.
“The car was amazing today, so thank you, I really enjoyed it,” Berman said.
Leclerc described his colleague Berman's performance as amazing and very impressive, adding: “I'm sure he's very proud. Everyone has noticed his talent and I'm sure it's only a matter of time before he shines in Formula 1.”
