We are only at the second match of the season, but the values on the pitch are partly well defined. Max Verstappen and Red Bull confirm themselves as undisputed masters of the category - despite the earthquakes of recent days - And Ferrari confirms her role as a valid pursuer. Yesterday Charles Leclerc successfully created the crevasse capable of dismantling the prediction of a Red Bull front row, but holding the line against two RB20s won't be easy. The red car finds itself having to face its rivals in the constructors' championship with a special guest after theoperation by Carlos Sainz. The conditions for doing well are there, especially given the difficulties Mercedes on Saudi circuit. Let's see the results of the race at the end of the Saudi Arabian GP.
Problems for Alpine even before the traffic lights went out!
“Medium tyre” is the watchword at the start, with Bearman starting with the soft to have that extra grip to face the most important traffic light switch-off of his career. Just before the deployment there is a radio team of Gasly, victim of a gearbox problem. The Frenchman lined up anyway but was called back to the pits on the first lap to withdraw his car.
Not a great starting point for Leclerc, who deftly contains Perez's attacks. Bearman makes sparks at the start, who tries everything on Tsunoda then decides to tag along to protect the tyre. Perez tries again on Leclerc with DRS, this time successfully on lap 4. Meanwhile, Russell reports Norris' false start, and the Federation notices the fact but does not impose a penalty on the Englishman. Evidently number 4 respected the margin of tolerance allowed by the sensors.
First twist: Stroll hits the wall and the safety car
On lap 7 Lance Stroll hits his Aston Martin into the wall. The Canadian hit the wall with his front left and thus broke the steering arm, losing direction and crashing. The driver got out of the car unharmed. The stewards bring out the safety car, while Red Bull and Ferrari call both drivers to the pits to fit hard tyres. Norris, Hamilton and Hulkenberg continue. At the restart Leclerc contains Piastri's attacks at the first corner, while Norris keeps the lead up front. There is also a contact at the rear with Magnussen who does not see Albon behind his back.
Verstappen is back in the lead passing Norris with DRS. Perez also overtakes Hamilton for third position, with Leclerc doing the same on the outside in Turn 1. Overtaking at the limit between the two future team mates. In the meantime, a penalty arrives for Perez: 5 seconds for unsafe release. There is a brawl between Piastri and Hamilton. The Australian tries on 44, but is legally accompanied out of turn 1. Perez moves into second position, Norris now finds himself threatened by Leclerc's Ferrari. At the back he does his Bearman, passing Zhou to get into the points. Shortly afterwards Hulkenberg's Haas also overtakes.
Halfway point, Piastri struggles behind Hamilton
The Australian can't find the key to the problem. McLaren struggled on the straights, and Hamilton, not yet back in the pits, managed to contain the number 81 without too many problems. Another penalty coming: Magnussen overtakes Tsunoda off the track and takes another 10 seconds after the 10 already imposed after the contact with Albon. Leclerc succeeds in the feat, passing Norris after many laps behind him. Now the Monegasque has three seconds to make up on Perez to virtually overtake him thanks to the penalty from the number 11.
In the rear there is a small group that is excited to say the least. From Magnussen – 12th – to Sargeant -16th – it's pure brawl. Tsunoda passes the leader of the train, but the Dane doesn't have it and surprises him with a counter-overtaking. Piastri wastes a great chance up front, overtaking Hamilton when braking but locks up the tyres finishing long. The Australian only passes Hamilton when the latter returns to the pits to mount the soft. He begins to dream about Bearman, who is informed that he can finish ahead of Norris and Hamilton. It's not the same for Leclerc, who in the final stages runs at the same times as Piastri - behind him - and moves away from Perez.
The race results at the end of the Saudi Arabian GP
In the final stages Ricciardo turns around and then returns to the track. The brawl between Norris and Hamilton leaves Bearman peace, which flies towards a sensational seventh position. A fantastic performance from the Englishman, who keeps two monsters like Norris and Hamilton behind him.
Max Verstappen always wins, who finishes unchallenged ahead of his teammate. He tries until the end Leclerc, but can do nothing in the face of the supremacy of the winged bull. Off the podium there is Piastres, in front of an excellent one Alonso and Russell. In seventh place is a boy who became a man overnight: Ollie Bearman. Behind number 38 they close Norris e Hamilton. Hulkenberg seals the top 10. In eleventh place there is Albon with Williams in front Or with, tsunoda e Sergeant. Magnussen he is fifteenth ahead of Ricciardo, Bottas, and Zhou. Retirement for Stroll and Gasly.
