Round two. It's not Ferrari who wins, but that doesn't matter. Verstappen's Red Bull responds to Jeddah, finishing ahead of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The partial is therefore clear for now: Red Bull-Ferrari, we are 1-1.
A huge result
But you have to smile and a lot too. Charles Leclerc must do it, as well as his team: second place, fastest lap brought home and almost full loot, counting the third place of his teammate. As in Bahrain, both Ferraristi get on the podium. Something that hasn't happened in years. But that's not the only reason to smile, just think of Jeddah: track theoretically more than Red Bull and, considering that for now Ferrari is still out of engine, the result achieved by the Red is worth gold. So, if there were doubts in Bahrain, it can also be said in Saudi Arabia: Ferrari is officially back.
The "I" factor
A fact that stands out above all makes us reflect and affirm that for now Ferrari is the team furthest ahead in the paddock: out of 88 points available, the team from Maranello brought home 78. Better than that, it is difficult to Do. The car is there, the drivers too, not only in terms of strength but also intelligence, in which Leclerc particularly stood out in this race. In fact, we come to one of the most beautiful events of the race: the protagonists are obviously still them, Verstappen and Leclerc. The Monegasque leads the race and, before the last corner, slows down to try to get overtaken by the Dutchman to take advantage of the DRS on the straight. Verstappen, however, knows it and, to avoid overtaking the sixteen Ferrari driver, blocks the front, allowing Leclerc to go on the gas and take the gap on the straight.
There was no bad luck
However, the bad luck event affected Ferrari, especially Leclerc. The virtual allowed Verstappen to recover a second on the Monegasque driver and then overtake him and take the first position. But that's not all: the last two laps, Leclerc chases and is very close to Verstappen. We arrive on the straight, with the opportunity for the red sixteen to overtake Verstappen, mainly exploiting the DRS. Everything seemed perfect, until the accident involving Lance Stroll and Albon. On that lap, Leclerc failed to take what turned out to be his last opportunity to try and win the race.
But the show is there and the F1-75 too. Welcome back Ferrari and now, as Binotto also says, step by step. A week off and then everyone in Australia, where Leclerc will try to return the favor to Verstappen.
