Verstappen wins the second Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, ahead of the Ferraris of Leclerc and Sainz. A good fight between the two new protagonists of the world championship, who have repeated overtaking and counter-overtaking done, returned and redone within a short distance. A lively race, despite an ungenerous track in the carriageway, immediately closed by the walls, where, apart from a handful of fast arches, the 27 corners have largely a narrower radius than the rest of the other circuits.
Still a red “filotto”, but a step (just over half a second) behind the new world champion. However, Leclerc brings home not only the 18 points of the second step of the podium, but also the point for the fastest lap. Well him, well Sainz, while it can be said a real shame for Perez. In fact, it was the most anticipated after the bizarre qualifying, which had seen Hamilton fail even to pass Q1, setting his starting square at number 16.
However, Perez and Hamilton, as a matter of choice, timing and luck, are the ones who paid the highest price. Following the many small accidents and mechanical failures during the race (only 13 drivers arrived at the checkered flag), Hamilton was not called back to the pits in time: so he was forced to stay “out” due to the busy lane from Ricciardo’s car, pushed back, while Perez was penalized by the yellow flag. Too bad especially for the Mexican, because he started from the first pole position in his career and could aspire to his third personal victory. George Russell’s fifth place is noteworthy: unlike Hamilton, who complained about his car since Friday, quietly did his duty and arrived there, more than 20 seconds behind Sainz but, in turn, prevailing by 24 on the emerging Alpine of Ocon.
After two races, many of the impressions of the winter tests are confirmed: Mercedes in third place, behind Ferrari and Red Bull, very close. Alpine improved a lot: even Alonso has long been seen playing it in noble areas. Unfortunately, his biggest twist, given that he retired on lap 36 after being among the authors of perhaps the most exciting fights of this race, up to a minute before his mechanics collapsed. Haas also did well, in the points with Magnussen, McLaren with Norris in recovery.
Verstappen went out empty-handed a week ago in the grand prix of neighboring Bahrain, but in the drivers’ championship he is still far away: Ferrari took home 78 out of 88 points available in the first two Sundays of 2022. As a result, the updated driver standing sees Leclerc first with 45 points, Sainz second with 33, Verstappen third with 25, Russell fourth at 22 and Hamilton fifth at 16.