Checo Perez takes masterful win ahead of Verstappen and is serious title contender

Checo Perez has taken a majestic victory in the Saudi Grand Prix, holding off the attacks of an unleashed Max Verstappen, for another Red Bull double in the second F1 race of 2023.

The fight was brutal, with both RB19s pushing hard and were a second faster on every lap than all their rivals. They are in a different league and it showed in Saudi Arabia. Max came from 15th place to second in 25 laps and that says it all.

Only Fernando Alonso was in a position to follow Checo for the first 12 laps, but then he surrendered to the obvious. Having taken the lead after a great start, his second podium finish was positive, especially for keeping the Mercedes at bay again.

A late complaint from Mercedes left Alonso without a podium after the Spaniard was penalised for poor starting position and paid a five-second penalty for his only stop, but it seems that Aston Martin (like Ocon in Bahrain) made a mistake by touching the car incorrectly (the jack brushed the car). Ten seconds for this mistake drops Fernando down to fourth, which is a great position, making him third in the World Championship.

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car past Aston Martin driver Fernando AlonsoHassan AmmarAP

Carlos Sainz finished sixth in the Ferrari, after a strong finish, although he struggled at the start, where he dropped to fourth. But after the safety car due to Stroll’s retirement he kept Charles Leclerc behind, who was complaining and asking to pass.

As a result, Verstappen (with the final fastest lap) leads the World Championship by one point from Checo, and Alonso is third, with 30 points.

1º S. Perez (D) Red Bull 50

2º M. Verstappen (D) Red Bull + 6″3 50

3º Fernando Alonso (D) Aston Martin + 22″5 50

4º G. Russell (D) Mercedes + 27″3 50

5º L. Hamilton (M) Mercedes + 31″9 50

6º Carlos Sainz (D) Ferrari + 36″6 50

7º C. Leclerc (D) Ferrari + 39″9 50

8º E. Ocon (D) Alpine + 51″2 50

9º P. Gasly (D) Alpine + 54″7 50

10º Y. Tsunoda (D) AlphaTauri + 63″6 50

11º K. Magnussen (D) Haas + 65″5 50

12º N. Hulkenberg (D) Haas + 69″5 50

13º G. Zhou (M) Alfa Romeo + 74″9 50

14º N. De Vries (D) AlphaTauri + 76″9 50

15º L Sargeant (M) Williams + 81″7 50

16º L. Norris (D) McLaren + 82″5 50

17º O. Piastri (D) McLaren + 78″6 50

18º V. Bottas (B) Alfa Romeo + 1 Lap 49

19º A. Albon (D) Williams DNF

20º L. Stroll (D) Aston Martin DNF