Sergio Perez holds off Max Verstappen at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix for first F1 win of season

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Sergio Perez won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and Max Verstappen drove from 15th to second to give Red Bull a 1-2 finish Sunday in what is shaping up to be a runaway season for the reigning Formula One champions.

And there have only been two races so far.

"Nice job guys an excellent result for the team," said Perez, who finished about 5 seconds ahead of Verstappen.

Through the first two races of the season it has been two Red Bull wins, two 1-2 finishes, and an air of desperation from everyone else on the grid.

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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Saudi Arabia Formula One Grand Prix at the Jeddah corniche circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, March 19, 2023.  (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Verstappen is chasing a third straight title and isn’t worried if it goes down to a straight fight between him and Perez.

"The best one will finish in front," the Dutchman said.

Perez feels he's yet to peak.

"I’m not sure it’s my best weekend with the team, Melbourne will be even better," he said, looking ahead to the next race in Australia on April 2.

Fernando Alonso finished third for the second consecutive race for what would have been his 100th career podium. But he was later handed a 10-second penalty for incorrectly serving an earlier penalty and that dropped him to fourth.

But even as the Spaniard enjoys a renaissance with his new Aston Martin team, Alonso has acknowledged he had little chance at beating Red Bull.

Verstappen won a record 15 races last season and a second consecutive F1 title, and Perez added another two victories as the 17 total wins