Red Bull driver Max Verstappen wins Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Defending 3-time champion beat Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, who was 2nd in 50-lap Jeddah race

By Can Erozden

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen won Saturday's Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as the defending three-time champion consolidated his lead in the individual standings after winning the first two races of the 2024 season.

Verstappen dominated the 50-lap Jeddah race as the Dutchman reached the checkered flag first in a time of one hour, 20 minutes and 43.273 seconds.

He won the season opener March 2 in Bahrain.

Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez from Mexico finished second at Jeddah Corniche Circuit, 13.643 seconds behind.

Ferrari's Monegasque racer Charles Leclerc came third.

Leclerc's Ferrari teammate for the Saudi Arabian GP, Oliver Bearman, 18, completed the race in the seventh spot to secure points in his debut.

British teen Bearman replaced Ferrari's experienced Spanish racer Carlos Sainz as the 29-year-old missed Saturday's race because of appendicitis. Sainz required surgery, his team said.

The Formula 1 will next travel to Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix on March 24, which will be Round 3 of the season.

- Best 5 drivers of 2024 Driver Standings

1- Max Verstappen (The Netherlands): 51 points

2- Sergio Perez (Mexico): 36

3- Charles Leclerc (Monaco): 28

4- George Russell (Great Britain): 18

5- Oscar Piastri (Australia): 16

- Constructor Standings

1- Red Bull: 87

2- Ferrari: 49

3- McLaren: 28

4- Mercedes: 26