One could call it the “Sweat Arabian Grand Prix”. After the multi-drama experienced last year the track more feared by the race directors and FantaManagers, it is back with another extraordinary but controversial edition, won by Max Verstappen.
Let's see the joys and pains that this second round of the season has given us!
TOP
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc: the lion and the gazelle. In Jeddah we saw the "full version" of what Bahrain would have reserved for us if Red Bull hadn't left Max Verstappen stranded. Theirs was once again a clean confrontation, the result of superb management by both. They have grown up and it shows. Reliability problems aside, at the moment they are the only ones who can make good or bad weather in the league. Max was called to comeback starting last between the pairing of Ferrari and Red Bull. He doesn't have to say it twice and at the start he immediately takes the opportunity to give the first paw. Leclerc wants to make him daze with his movements, but Max studies him well in the second attack. Given the margin of error in Jeddah it needs to be cleaned up. On the other hand, he is the one "most prepared" in these battles, as evidenced by the world title he won not by chance.
But Charles is no different, grit is in his blood and the F1-75 really fits him perfectly, as can also be understood from the fact that the result between Qualifying and the Race is always satisfactory. For the second time in a row, the Monegasque takes the additional point for the fastest lap (+1) and is driver of the day (+5) and ahead of his teammate (+2). A second place is more than fine but the fact that it's a disappointment for Charles says a lot about where this guy wants to go!
TOPS (AMONG OTHERS)
George Russell: Perhaps the real magic comes in Qualifying more than in the race where, however, he manages to handle the pressure well and with calm and perseverance brings home an excellent 5th place.
Stephen Ocon: The duel with his teammate was nice, even if perhaps too extreme and decidedly useless in terms of standings. Despite the attempted sabotage of Alonso Ocon still manages to finish the race in a good position. Also awarded for the Qualification.
Now we come to the sore points..
FLOPS
Nicholas Latifi and Williams: He had to finish the race, no one would have said anything to him even if he had arrived 2 minutes behind the others. He is once again wrong, and, even if he is sorry to say it, he proves inadequate. He destroys Perez's race and seriously undermines Williams' budget cap. The most disappointing pair of riders at the moment is theirs.
Daniel Ricardo: Daniel still has a lot of work to do, as well as McLaren which took the first 6 points yesterday but with Lando Norris. The comparison with Ferrari, with whom they battled for 3rd place in the constructors' standings last year, is embarrassing given that the Maranello team is already on 78 points.
Guanyu Zhou: He took the same malus as those who failed to finish the race, like Alonso and his teammate Valtteri Bottas mocked by an engine problem. He totally misses the start and takes two penalties to recover.
AlphaTauri: Last week Gasly who had to resort to the second Power Unit of the season after only 1 race, this Yuki, always mocked before the start due to an engine problem. There is a big problem with reliability at AlphaTauri.
Jeddah: Among many doubts we have one certainty, this agony is finally over. Because unpredictability is fine but this is a bit too much.