Max Verstappen etched his name into the annals of Formula 1 history with a commanding victory in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. This triumph not only marked his second win in as many races this season but also a monumental milestone – his 100th podium finish in the pinnacle of motorsport.
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Verstappen Marks 100th F1 Podium with Reflection
From the moment the lights went out, Verstappen left no room for doubt, asserting his superiority over the field with an assured performance that saw him cross the line a commanding eight seconds ahead of his teammate, Sergio Perez. The Red Bull driver’s relentless pursuit of excellence has now propelled him onto a remarkable winning streak of nine races, a feat that stretches back to the Japanese Grand Prix of the previous year.
As the checkered flag waved, Verstappen’s accomplishment was not lost on him, prompting a lighthearted quip that resonated with his unwavering focus on success: “It’s 88 missed podiums!” he remarked, before adding with a touch of humility, “Of course, very happy with that, but I’m not really a guy looking at the stats, so I’m just happy to hit 100. But I want to of course continue, and just focus race by race on achieving the best possible result all the time.”
Verstappen’s dominance in Saudi Arabia was not without its challenges, as an early Safety Car intervention, triggered by Lance Stroll’s dramatic collision with the wall at Turn 23, threatened to disrupt the rhythm of the race. However, Red Bull’s strategic prowess and Verstappen’s unwavering determination ensured that they emerged victorious, securing their second one-two finish in as many races and extending their lead in the constructors’ standings to a formidable 38 points over Ferrari.
Reflecting on his commanding performance, Verstappen expressed his satisfaction with the team’s efforts, stating, “I think overall of course a fantastic weekend for the whole team but also from my side, I felt really good with the car, and also basically was the same in the race.”
While Verstappen’s brilliance shone bright at the forefront of the action, a remarkable performance from Ferrari’s 18-year-old super-sub Ollie Bearman threatened to steal the spotlight. Thrust into the limelight as a replacement for the experienced Carlos Sainz, Bearman defied expectations, delivering a scintillating drive that saw him secure an impressive seventh-place finish, ahead of seasoned campaigners like Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton.
Verstappen, ever the consummate professional, was quick to recognize Bearman’s remarkable achievement, generously praising the young Briton’s efforts in the face of adversity. “I of course quickly spoke to him – I hope he’s very happy with himself. I think he is!” Verstappen remarked, adding, “I think he will sleep well tonight and I think he definitely showed himself in the paddock to everyone, he did an absolutely fantastic job on one of the toughest tracks on the calendar.”
