F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Verstappen scores a 56th victory and a 100th podium

All the Saudi fans we met in Jeddah before the race had only one name on their lips to predict the winner: Max Verstappen.

And they were right, without much surprise.

Already winner of the first Grand Prix of the season in Bahrain, as well as 19 of the 22 races last year, the three-time reigning Formula 1 world champion triumphed once again in Jeddah this Saturday, a 56th success - and a 100th podium - after a fully mastered GP... Like last week.

His biggest opponent, in the heat of the Jeddah night, was ultimately the Safety Car.

After keeping the lead ahead of Leclerc on the first lap, Verstappen saw Lance Stroll drive himself straight into the wall on the 6th lap, causing the safety car to enter the Saudi track.

SAFETY CAR 🟡

Lance Stroll's big mistake who crashed his car into the wall 😱#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/6ac9vQSKLQ

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) March 9, 2024

By the time Max Verstappen left the lead for just six laps to Lando Norris who had made the daring choice not to change tires.

The Red Bull driver took back the reins of the Grand Prix thanks to his efficient DRS, to the acclaim of the Saudi fans, before definitely widening the gap.

Leclerc on the podium, Alpine still far away

Behind, Sergio Perez, who quickly got the better of Leclerc and then also the McLaren, was never able to bother his teammate due in particular to a 5-second penalty for an incident in the pits with Fernando Alonso .

The Mexican finished far on the second step, but very far.

Charles Leclerc, starting from the first row, took advantage of Norris's offbeat strategy to get the better of the Briton on the 27th lap and race to the podium.

The Top 5 is completed by Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), authors of a sober but effective race.

George Russel (Mercedes) finished 6th ahead of the surprising Bearman, acclaimed several times for his first GP with Ferrari.

Lando Norris (McLaren), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and the Haas of Nico Hülkenberg bring up the rear, regarding the points.

Disaster for Pierre Gasly from the start of the #SaudiArabianGP 🇸🇦

A gearbox problem forces the Frenchman to retire 😩#F1 pic.twitter.com/RVgnr9dJOH

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) March 9, 2024

For Alpine, still far from the middle of the peloton, the trouble started even before the formation lap when Pierre Gasly complained of a gearbox problem.

At the end of the first lap, he was already being called on the radio to retire.

Just in front of him on the starting line, Esteban Ocon went to the end, without any hope of getting points with such an inefficient car.