Driver ratings for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

A weekend that began explosively off track ended with fireworks on it – but thankfully for the right reasons.

At one stage it looked like we might not see a Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, especially when the drivers – perhaps with a lack of anything better to do on a Friday night in Jeddah – stayed in the paddock until gone 2.00am discussing whether it was safe to race after a terrorist attack on a nearby oil facility.

But despite a horrific crash for Mick Schumacher in qualifying, we are mighty glad they went ahead for we were treated to a pulsating head-to-head battle between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc for the second consecutive Sunday – this time, one that went all the way to the line.

Here’s how the racers fared at what Sergio Perez described as “the most dangerous circuit on the calendar”…and that’s before the threat of missiles.

Max Verstappen: It would be hard to describe it as a perfect weekend for the World Champion when he started P4, three places behind his team-mate, but there was no faulting what he did in the race.

Like last week, the Dutchman was not exactly the epitome of calmness, agitatedly calling for rival Charles Leclerc to be penalised for crossing the pit-entry line and being told by his race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to concentrate on his job “while we do ours”.

But Verstappen is a true racer and heeded warnings to look after his tyres in anticipation of a prolonged attack in the decisive stages, eventually making a move stick and fending off a late retaliatory thrust from the Ferrari.

Sixteen weeks ago in Saudi, the Red Bull driver was not far off disgracing himself in his contentious fight with Lewis Hamilton. This was at the opposite end of the scale. 9.5.

Charles Leclerc: So nearly two