Leclerc wins season-opener, Verstappen triumphs in Saudi
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen (in pic) overtook Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari three laps from the end of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for the defending champion’s first win of the Formula One season and 21st of his career. The Formula One drivers took a call to go ahead with the race after reassurances from Saudi government ministers that security was being ramped up to the maximum two days after an attack on a nearby oil depot by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Sainz finished in third place to make it another podium double for Ferrari after he was second in Bahrain where Leclerc had brilliantly repelled three attacks from Verstappen, who retired right near the end of that race with teammate Sergio Perez.
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis
Hamilton could manage only one point for
Mercedes in 10th place after starting 15th. Mick Schumacher was ruled out of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after crashing heavily in qualifying and being flown to hospital in Jeddah for precautionary checks. Commentators estimated the car was travelling at 170mph (274kph) at the time of impact into the concrete barriers at the exit to turn 10, scattering debris across the asphalt.