Max Verstappen takes 100th podium with Saudi GP victory
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen extended his championship lead with a flawless drive to victory in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, leading from pole position to the chequered flag.
When the five red lights went out, polesitter Max Verstappen (Red Bull) made a clean getaway to lead the charge into Turn 1 of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Sergio Perez (Red Bull) grabbed second briefly but had to concede the position to Charles Leclerc's Ferrari. Further back, Lando Norris (McLaren) appeared to jump the start.
On lap 2, Oscar Piastri (McLaren) muscled his way past Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) for fourth.
A lap later, contact occurred between substitute Ferrari driver Oliver Bearman and Yuki Tsunoda over 10th place.
Lap 4 saw Perez execute a decisive move to snatch second from Leclerc, establishing a Red Bull 1-2 at the front with Verstappen 2.4 seconds clear.
The complexion of the race changed on lap 7 when Lance Stroll suffered a heavy crash into the barriers at Turn 22, prompting a safety car period.
Most teams pitted, with Red Bull, double-stacking their drivers without major delay despite the narrow pit window.
McLaren's strategic gamble left Norris out on track to inherit a surprise lead ahead of Verstappen, Hamilton, and Perez upon the restart on lap 10.
However, Verstappen swiftly dispensed with Norris three laps later to reclaim his rightful position at the front.
Verstappen began pulling clear, while Perez overcame a 5-second penalty for an unsafe pit release to pass both Hamilton and Norris for second.
Leclerc displaced Hamilton from fourth, while the Mercedes driver engaged in a fierce duel with Piastri over fifth place.
With Verstappen serenely leading Perez, attention turned to the fight for the final podium spot between Leclerc and Piastri.
The Ferrari driver made his move stick on lap 27, relegating Norris to fourth. Piastri then overcame Hamilton in a late drag to the line to claim an impressive fourth.
Verstappen duly took the chequered flag 8 seconds clear of Perez, whose penalty proved inconsequential.
Leclerc completed the podium after setting the fastest lap. Piastri, Alonso, Russell, Bearman, Norris and Hamilton rounded out the points scorers on a day when Red Bull underlined their early-season supremacy.
Drivers Standings after the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
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