Max Verstappen dominates from start to finish in Sakir and becomes the first world championship leader
The Spanish Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) finished third this Sunday on Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, second round of the World Championship, but had to wait several hours to confirm his 100th podium, in a race with Red Bull doubleSergio Pérez and Max Verstappen, that Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) finished sixth.
Alonso keeps his enthusiasm intact with the new Aston Martin project, despite a couple of oversights that came close to costing him the podium. The double world champion misplaced his car at the start and was penalized for five seconds. From there came a greater sorrow which dropped him to fourth place when he had already uncorked the champagne, by a mechanic who touched the car with the jack at the pit stop which, despite being on lap 19, punished the FIA at the end.
However, Aston Martin’s claim it came to fruition and, three hours later, Alonso once again celebrated an incredible podium. The double world champion, who started second, fought as far as he could and, after a safety car, with 30 laps to go, he held on only behind the Red Bulls, superior to the rest of the mortals and with tenths still in the pocket.
Sergio Pérez was intractable, even for a Verstappen who came from fifteenth position but had to settle for being second. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton they were fourth and fifth, ahead of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, the Ferraris battered, in a race unchanged from the general entry into the pits that left the safety car.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
.1. Sergio Perez MEX Red Bull 1:21:14,894
.2. Max Verstappen NED Red Bull at 5,355
.3. Fernando Alonso ESP Aston Martin 20,728
.4. George Russell GBR Mercedes 25,866
.5. Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes 31,065
.6. Carlos Sainz ESP Ferrari 35,876
.7. Charles Leclerc MON Ferrari 43,162
.8. Esteban Ocon FRA Alpine 52,832
.9. Pierre Gasly FRA Alpine 54,747
10. Kevin Magnussen DIN Haas 1:04.826
Drivers World Cup
.1. Max Verstappen NED Red Bull 44 points
.2. Sergio Perez MEX Red Bull 43
.3. Fernando Alonso ESP Aston Martin 30.4. Carlos Sainz ESP Ferrari 20
.5. Lewis Hamilton GBR Mercedes 20
.6. George Russell GBR Mercedes 18
.7. Lance Stroll CAN Aston Martin 8
.8. Charles Leclerc MON Ferrari 6
.9. Valtteri Bottas END Alfa Romeo 4
10. Esteban O with FRA Alpine 4
11. Pierre Gasly FRA Alpine 4
12. Kevin Magnussen DIN Haas 1
13. Alexander Albon THA Williams 1