Jeddah updates: Verstappen 15th in grid.

2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Race Report

Welcome to the coverage of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from the Jeddah Corniche Circuit. The second race of the season presented a great opportunity for the drivers to showcase their skills and bounce back from the opening round in Bahrain. Despite setbacks, the race turned out to be a thrilling one, with a surprising outcome.

Qualifying Drama and Verstappen’s Unfortunate Crash

The highlight of the qualifying was the unfortunate mechanical failure that Max Verstappen suffered. Verstappen, who had been dominant in every session, had a driveshaft failure in Q2 without a lap on the board, which meant he had to start from the 15th position in the race. Verstappen’s crash was a huge blow for Red Bull Racing, as he was the favorite to win the race.

Perez Claims Pole Position

With Verstappen out of contention for pole position, Sergio Perez grabbed his second career pole position in Q3. Perez had to work hard to claim the pole position, as Charles Leclerc put in a solid lap and finished just a tenth and a half off Perez’s time. Perez is now a strong contender for the race win, and his pole position is a reflection of his hard work and determination.

Leclerc’s Unscheduled Power Unit Change and Grid Penalty

Leclerc was the star of the qualifying until Perez stole the pole position from him. However, Leclerc’s joy was short-lived as he received a 10-place grid penalty for an unscheduled power unit change. The penalty meant that Leclerc would start the race from the 12th position. Leclerc’s penalty was a huge setback for Ferrari, as he was their best chance to challenge Verstappen and Perez.

The Race – Verstappen’s Epic Recovery and Hamilton’s Shocking Retirement

The race started with Perez leading the pack, but Verstappen made a stunning comeback from the 15th position. Verstappen’s ability to move up the grid and challenge for the race win was a reflection of his talent and skills. However, the race took a dramatic turn when Lewis Hamilton retired from the race due to a technical issue. Hamilton’s retirement was a massive shock for Mercedes, as he was their best chance to win the race.

Verstappen Takes the Win, Perez and Norris Complete the Podium

With Hamilton out of the race, Verstappen continued to chase Perez, who was in the lead. Verstappen made a bold move and overtook Perez, claiming the lead and the eventual win. Perez finished second, and Lando Norris finished third on the podium. The result was a huge setback for Mercedes, as they failed to finish on the podium for the second consecutive race.

Conclusion

The 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was a thrilling race with lots of drama and surprises. Verstappen’s epic recovery and Perez’s stunning pole position were the standout moments of the race. The retirement of Hamilton and Leclerc’s penalty were major setbacks for Mercedes and Ferrari. Overall, the race was a reflection of the drivers’ skills and determination, and it was a great win for Verstappen and Red Bull Racing.#Latest #updates #Jeddah #Verstappen #starts #15th