Max Verstappen Bounces Back With Thrilling Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Victory Over Charles Leclerc

World champion Max Verstappen bounced back from his Bahrain disappointment to steer his Red Bull to a thrilling victory ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The 24-year-old Dutchman, who failed to finish due to a fuel problem in the opening race, won by just half a second after the pair swapped positions in a tense battle through the final laps. It was the closest race finish since the 2020 Italian Grand Prix. Leclerc's Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz finished third ahead of Sergio Perez in the second Red Bull, the top four proving to be in a class of their own.

Mercedes new boy George Russell came home fifth ahead of Alpine's Esteban Ocon and McLaren's Lando Norris with Pierre Gasly taking eighth for Alpha Tauri.

Kevin Magnussen finished ninth for Haas and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton 10th, rescuing some pride after starting 15th on a difficult weekend in the second Mercedes.

It was the 21st win of his career for Verstappen and, like Leclerc, he welcomed the success of the new era cars that have permitted closer racing and allowed drivers to recover and regain positions after being passed.

Leclerc congratulated his rival on his victory on their slow-down laps, but after two races remains the embryonic championship's early season leader by 12 points.

"Of course, I am disappointed, but I enjoyed that race and I hope that we have more like that this season," he said.

"It should be like this always!"

Verstappen said it had been very close and he had also revelled in the contest. "I just managed to get in front and to stay there, but it was a great race."

Perez made a perfect start from his first pole position at the 215th attempt as behind him Leclerc's move behind the Mexican only