The current triple world champion, who had started from pole, surpassed his teammate, the Mexican Sergio Pérez, who was second like last weekend in Bahrain.
The third place on the podium went to the Monegasque Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. The Spanish Fernando Alonso was fifth, two places ahead of the young British Ferrari driver Oliver Bearman, who fulfilled the difficult role of replacing the Spanish Carlos Sainz Jr., convalescing from an appendicitis operation.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri finished fourth, ahead of Alonso’s Aston Martin.
George Russell (Mercedes), Bearman, Lando Norris (McLaren), Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and the Haas of Nico Hulkenberg completed the top-10.
It was the 56th victory of Verstappen’s career and the ninth in a row for the Dutchman.
Crisis en Red Bull
Hours before the Saudi Arabia GP, Formula 1 was convulsed by the internal dispute at Red Bull Racing. This is due to the internal investigation opened into Christian Horner, team boss, who supposedly had an affair with an employee, uncovering tensions with the Verstappen family, leading Jos Verstappen (Max’s father) to defend Helmut Marko, accused of filter the news.
In addition, Toto Wolff, CEO of Mercedes, also got involved making comments in the Austrian media, ORF, in which he acknowledged his interest in acquiring Marko. “We would stay with Helmut. He was – or is – our favorite enemy. If they lose Helmut, it will certainly be a loss for Red Bull and the team. We have a seat available, but Max will drive where the fastest car is, and for now that is the Red Bull.”he expressed, intensifying the friction with the departure of Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes in 2025.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen was once once more the sporting protagonist, but was not affected by the distraction of internal conflicts, and despite the fact that the scenario became even more complicated with reports suggesting a million-dollar compensation to silence the case between Horner and his assistant, who is also said to have been involved with Jos Verstappen and that is why he took her side.
These details shed light on a complex web of personal relationships and tensions within the team, compromising the stability of Red Bull.
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