The second F1 race of the season took place last night in Saudi Arabia and this was a very important race for all the drivers for various reasons. For Max Verstappen it was important to keep the winning momentum going but he was at P15 at the start of the race so that did not help his cause at all. Charles Leclerc wanted to redeem the start he had in the first race but he was also at the back of the grid and it was an issue. For Fernando Alonso it was about to keep the dream run going and for Sergio Perez it was about keeping up with his teammate Max Verstappen.
For Mercedes it was about showing everyone why they were the best for so many years and for Lewis Hamilton to show why he is one of the greatest ever. This race was only the second race but a lot was on the line and the grid placement made the race even more interesting.
So, let’s look at the Results of the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix 2023:
Race Results
The race started and it looked like a perfect Start for Fernando Alonso but he was handed a 5 second penalty which he will make up in the pits. Lap 1 and Carlos Sainz is up to P4 and Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen are up to P9 and P13 respectively. Lap 3 and Sergio Perez took the lead of the race and McClaren had to put both their drivers due to damage in the front wing. Lap 6 and Max Verstappen is flying as he is in P11 and Sergio Perez is a second ahead of Fernando Alonso. Lap 8 and Lewis Hamilton is struggling because he is the only one on hard tyres. Lap 10 and Charles Leclerc overtakes Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen is in P9.
Lap 15 and Max Verstappen jumps Esteban Ocon and a good race is brewing between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc and Aston Martin have pitted Lance Stroll for hard tyres. Lap 18 and the safety car is out. Lap 20 and all the top drivers pit in the race and in this safety car Fernando Alonso served his 5 second penalty as well and did not lose P2. Lap 22 and Lewis Hamilton is in medium tyres and he overtakes Carlos Sainz. Lap 23 and Max Verstappen jumped George Russell to go to P3 and here the massive difference between the speeds of Red Bull and Mercedes was visible. Lap 24 and Max Verstappen is in P2 and elsewhere Lewis Hamilton has been flying and now is in P5. Lap 27 and Alexander Albon will have to retire from the race. Lap 30 and Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen are fighting for the top as Sergio Perez leads Max Verstappen by 5 seconds.
Lap 34 and George Russell has got the better of Lewis Hamilton as well as the Ferrari team is behind as Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc are behind Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Lap 35 and Red Bull are absolutely dominating and Fernando Alonso is 11 seconds behind Max Verstappen. Lap 38 and Max Verstappen complains about a high pitched noise and he slows down his car. Lap 43 and Fernando Alonso is in P3 by 5 seconds and it will be his 100th podium if he can hold it. Lap 46 and Kevin Magnussen goes to P10 and that is a crucial point. It is the end of the race and Sergio Perez wins the race with Max Verstappen in P2 and for his 100th podium in P3 is Fernando Alonso.
Race Standings
Position | Driver | Team | Points |
1. | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | 25 |
2. | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 19 |
3. | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 15 |
4. | George Russell | Mercedes | 12 |
5. | Lewis Hamilton | Mercedes | 10 |
6. | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 8 |
7. | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 6 |
8. | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | 4 |
9. | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 2 |
10. | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | 1 |
11. | Yuki Tsonuda | AlphaTauri | 0 |
12. | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | 0 |
13. | Zhou Guanyu | Alfa Romeo | 0 |
14. | Nyck De Vries | AlphaTauri | 0 |
15. | Oscar Piastri | McClaren | 0 |
16. | Logan Sargeant | Williams | 0 |
17. | Lando Norris | McClaren | 0 |
18. | Valteri Bottas | Alfa Romeo | 0 |
DNF | Alexander Albon | Williams | 0 |
DNF | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 0 |
