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Max Verstappen made it two wins from two in 2024 with a secured victory at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, a result that also raised the Red Bull driver’s ton in terms of podium finishes in F1.
Verstappen now has a nine-race winning streak dating back to last year’s Japanese Grand Prix, and never looked under significant pressure in Saturday night’s race following his first pole position at the Jeddah Corniche circuit.
After crossing the line eight seconds ahead of good teammate Sergio Perez, who was pleased with a better performance from his side compared to Bahrain a week ago, Verstappen was asked what achieving his 100th podium meant to him. in just his 187th. Grand Prix.
“That’s 88 podiums lost!” he joked, adding: “Of course, I’m very happy with that, but I’m not really a guy who looks at statistics, so I’m happy to get to 100. But of course I want to continue and focus on the race. race to achieve the best possible result at all times.”
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024: Verstappen crosses the finish line to take victory under the lights of Jeddah
With Red Bull overcoming an early safety car in Saudi Arabia, caused by Lance Stroll crashes into the wall at turn 23: to secure their second one-two finish in as many races, the team now leads the standings. builders classification by 38 points from Ferrari, with Verstappen adding: “I think overall it was a fantastic weekend for the whole team, but also for my part, I felt very good with the car and I was basically the same in the race.
“Of course, the last stint was a little longer than we would have liked, but with the safety car we had to try. So in the last few laps, also with those drivers behind, with the cold tires, it was a little slippery but we had good pace, so we were able to manage it quite well. Overall, very, very satisfied.”
While Verstappen may have led the action at the front of the field, the Dutch driver, who leads his teammate Pérez in the driver classification by 15 points – was overshadowed by the performance of Ferrari’s 18-year-old Carlos Sainz, who replaced the super submissive Ollie Bearmanwho took seventh position on his debut with Ferrari, ahead of his British compatriots Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.
But Verstappen was generous in praising the teenager after the race, telling reporters that the Ferrari driver had been “fantastic”. He continued: “Of course, I quickly spoke to him. I hope he’s very pleased with himself. I think he is!
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“I think he will sleep well tonight and I think he definitely showed himself in the paddock to everyone, he did an absolutely fantastic job on one of the toughest tracks on the calendar.”