Sunday Debrief: Another 1-2 for Red Bull in Saudi Arabia.

Sergio Perez takes victory in Saudi Arabia - Max Verstappen fighting his way through the field from P15 to finish in P2, giving Red Bull their 2nd consecutive 1-2 finish this season. Fernando Alonso once again making an appearance on the podium in P3 – his 100th podium in formula 1.

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Sergio Perez started on pole for the second time in his Formula 1 career, his teammate Max Verstappen lined up P15 on the grid, after having to retire his car during Q2 in Saturdays qualifying session due to engine issues. Charles Leclerc started P12 after taking a 10-place grid penalty for a new power unit. Logan Sargeant starting from the back of the grid, after losing his lap time for exceeding track limits. Sargeant was accompanied by Lando Norris on the back row after retiring in Q1 after hitting the wall at Turn 27 and picking up steering damage.

A 5 second penalty was issued to Fernando Alonso at the start of the race for an incorrect starting position, towards the end of the race potentially gaining a 10 second penalty for incorrectly serving that penalty.

Both Mercedes and Ferrari were unbale to challenge the pace of the Red Bull’s, Mercedes crossed the line to finish in P4 and P5, while Ferrari followed closely behind in P6 and P7.

McLaren faced another disastrous race after needing to pit both drivers on the first few laps. Piastri coming in for a new front wing, after making contact with the Alpine of Pierre Gasly, followed by Norris who come in after making contact with the debris, forcing both drivers to the back of the grid.

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Albon and Stroll were the two retirements of the race; Stroll was the first of the retirements, bringing out the safety car after he was told to stop his Aston Martin in the first half of the race. Albon was next to retire his car after encountering issues with the brakes.

All focus shifts now to Australia for round three of 2023, with Verstappen holding on to the lead in the championship by one point over his teammate, after talking the point for the fastest lap from his teammate.