Saudi Arabian GP: Max Verstappen Pips Charles Leclerc To Win Race

 

Max Verstappen is back on the podium in the first position and he had a battle with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc to make that happen at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. 

The Dutchman missed out on making even a podium in Bahrain following a mechanic failure and retired. Winning the race in Saudi was the first he would win this season after emerging as the first Dutch driver to become F1 world champion last season. 

Leclerc gave the Red Bull driver a showdown as he picked up on his pace to be in the lead on Lap42, moments after virtual safety cars was lifted on Lap40.

Meanwhile, Red Bull's had instructed Verstappen on Lap35 to keep the speed on the high while in the lead for Leclerc use up his tyres trailing him before pacing up. Unfortunately, virtual safety cars was put on and that plan crumbled. 

Verstappen kept on chaisng Leclerc and pipped the Monagasque to reclaim the spot from him down the straight on Lap46 and kept on pacing in the lead to finish quickest in 1:24:19.293s. 

In the third was Ferrari's Carlos Sainz followed by Sergio Perez in the fourth. While Mercedes' George Russell finished fifth, it wasn't the best race for Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton who improved from starting in P15 to finish in 10th. 

Bear in mind that Hamilton failed to make the qualifying for the first time since 20017 Brazilian GP.  

Alfa Romero's Valtteri Bottas dropped out likewise Fernando Alonso on Lap38. McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo later join in and retired after complaining of engine failure on the radio to his team.