F1: Max Verstappen unhappy to settle for second in Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

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Formula One F1 – Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – March 19, 2023 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates with the trophy on the podium after finishing second in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix REUTERS/Rula Rouhana

Max Verstappen remained on top of the Formula One world championship in Saudi Arabia on Sunday but was still unhappy as he had to settle for second in the race behind Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.

The Dutch driver paid the price for a drive-shaft failure in Saturday’s qualifying that saw him struggle from 15th on the starting grid in Jeddah while Mexican Perez started on pole position.

“I returned a good second and of course the general feeling in the team, everyone is happy,” Verstappen told reporters.

“But personally I’m not happy because I’m not here to be second, especially when you work so hard also back at the factory to make sure you come here in good condition and make sure everything is right.

“And you have to do a recovery race, which I like. I don’t mind doing that. But if you’re fighting for the championship and especially if it looks like it’s just between two cars, you have to make sure that both cars are reliable.

The two-time world champion, who won the opening race in Bahrain with Perez second, remained on top as he set the fastest lap on his way to the checkered flag.

“It’s not so easy to pass the field,” said Verstappen.

He was twice at half distance but was scared when he felt the drive-shaft was running “a bit rough”.

“It makes such a strange noise at high speed,” he told the race engineer.

Team boss Christian Horner said Red Bull reviewed the data and found nothing to cause concern, allowing both drivers to race free.

“I’m in second, we have a big gap behind so at one point we decided to just call it a day and just settle for second, which I think is a very good recovery,” said Verstappen.

“I tried at the end (for the fastest lap) so luckily it worked.”

The champion has now led the standings for 19 consecutive races, dating back to the Spanish Grand Prix last May.

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