Max Verstappen is dealing with some competitors simply two races into the F1 season and his dad isn’t completely satisfied about it.
Crimson Bull dominated the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to say a second 1-2 of the season as Sergio Perez led from begin to end to say his fifth profession win — and fourth on a road circuit.
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Mechanical failure ruined Verstappen’s qualifying however the Dutchman drove an outstanding race, leaping from fifteenth to second in the very best consequence he may have realistically hoped for.
A aggressive beast, Verstappen made positive to attain the additional level for the quickest lap of the race to make sure he had a one-point lead over Perez within the drivers’ championship (44-43 factors).
Perez was mobbed by the Crimson Bull crew in pit lane after the victory, however one man wasn’t completely satisfied to see him win.
As Perez was hugged and high-fived by Crimson Bull workers, Verstappen’s father Jos utterly blanked the Mexican — staring straight forward and never even providing a smile or a pat on the again.
The awkward snub didn’t go unnoticed by eagle-eyed F1 followers, who stated Jos’ response made it clear something aside from a victory was underwhelming for the Verstappens.
It was the primary time Verstappen had completed second behind a Crimson Bull teammate since Daniel Ricciardo beat him in Malaysia in 2016.
Being Verstappen’s teammate at Crimson Bull is the hardest gig in F1 — as Perez, Ricciardo, Alex Albon and Pierre Gasly nicely know.
Perez is contracted with Crimson Bull till the top of 2024 however with Ricciardo on board as reserve driver and ready within the wings, Perez is below stress to be the right supporting act to Verstappen.
The 33-year-old has been an ideal foil to Verstappen in his two title-winning seasons, however there have been indicators of a breakdown between the 2 Crimson Bull drivers final yr when Verstappen refused to let Perez previous him on the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Tensions additionally flared final yr when Verstappen’s mom reportedly accused Perez of dishonest on his spouse in a since deleted publish.
However Crimson Bull shouldn’t have an excessive amount of to fret about in the event that they maintain the 1-2 finishes coming, with daylight second forward of Mercedes and Ferrari for automotive pace.
Fernando Alonso crossed the road third and was celebrating his second straight podium for Aston Martin and his one centesimal total earlier than he was robbed of third place.
Race officers dominated handed Alonso a ten-second time penalty for lining up outdoors of his grid field whereas serving a penalty in the course of the race. The choice elevated Mercedes’ George Russell up into third.
An early pit cease to exchange a broken entrance wing cruelled Oscar Piastri’s hopes of a prime 10 end, however he drove a formidable race — overtaking McLaren teammate Lando Norris to complete fifteenth.
