After two races of the new Formula One season, the numbers already add up to an ominous harbinger of what is to come. With a first round one-two in Bahrain, Red Bull repeated the feat once more at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. This time it was the Mexican Sergio Pérez who defeated his teammate and reigning world champion, Max Verstappen.
Pérez won from pole position, but Verstappen made a magnificent comeback from 15th after suffering a driveshaft problem in qualifying.
A frustrated Verstappen said after the race that he was “not happy” to finish second when he and his teammate were given permission to race each other at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
“It’s exactly what we expected to have that safety car and be able to manage the race, not like last year where we couldn’t manage it, but it’s a great result for the team, the work that the guys have done throughout the weekend trying to solve the problems, now is the time to celebrate it”, Pérez said in the press conference after the victory.
“It was tougher than I thought, but in the end I’m happy to get my fifth F1 victory. Very happy with the result of the team. We are going to continue pushing very hard”, then the Mexican published on his Twitter account.
Perez won from pole position in Jeddah with Verstappen one place further back having surged through the field after starting 15th due to driveshaft failure in qualifying.
Reigning world champion Verstappen, whose drive to victory was aided by the deployment of a safety car, said: “I have regained second position, which is good, and overall the whole team is happy.
After the race, the Mexican went to celebrate with his teammates, to the indifference of Jos Verstappen. Max Verstappen’s father kept a straight face as Perez and the team jumped in jubilation behind him in a post-race broadcast.
Before going with the Red Bull Racing team, the Mexican driver went to his former Aston Martin mechanics to say hello. Perez was a former driver for Aston Martin when it was Racing Point and Force India.
