Five Formula 1 Winners & Losers: Saudi Arabia Grand Prix

Photo by Clive Mason from Getty Images

Saudi Arabia’s frist two F1 races were some of the most exciting of the season.

The third time around? Not quite so interesting.

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t still winners & losers from today.

Losers

5. Nyck De Vries

De Vries did not have a horrible race overall, but he was still significantly slower than his teammate Yuki Tsunoda who ended up in the points.

So a decent race from De Vries, but still looks poor overall considering his teammates pace.

4. Williams

The Williams drivers were also having quite the race, but a brake failure from Albon ruined his chance at points, and the “plan” Williams told Logan Sargeant that they had for him didn’t end up panning out at all.

Potentially a missed opportunity.

3. Lance Stroll

And this was a missed opportunity for Stroll and Aston Martin.

Stroll had solid pace and had an incredible move on the outside of Sainz on the opening lap.

But a brake failure ended his race early as well.

Very tough luck for the Aston Martin.

2. Valtteri Bottas

Bottas was just kind of there today.

He was never involved in the battle. He was never threatening at all. But he never retired.

It was just a nice Sunday drive for Valtteri, and good for him. He deserves it.

1. McLaren

Early damage affected Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris quite a lot, but good heavens this car is slow.

Even with a safety car to catch them up, both Piastri and Norris were struggling to pass a couple of rookies, and it’s not because they aren’t talented.

That car just simply is not good enough, and that’s shocking from a team who was fighting for 4th last year.

Winners

5. Yuki Tsunoda

Alpha Tauri didn’t show a ton of promise outside of testing, and Bahrain didn’t necessarily ease those nerves.

But Yuki drove a great race and almost got himself a point.

Well done, Yuki.

4. Kevin Magnussen

But Yuki’s point was taken away by a great race from Kevin Magnussen, who got the final point for Haas.

The two actually had the most exciting battle of the day!

It wasn’t a great race…

3. Mercedes

I know, I know.

This is not good enough for a team like Mercedes.

But, much like last year, they have been consistent and effective and ended up with a solid points finish overall.

They still need more, but it adds up over the course of a season for the constructor’s battle.

2. Max Verstappen

Driveshaft issues meant Verstappen ended up starting 15th, which is obviously not where he wants to end up in the race.

Didn’t matter.

The two time defending champion drove home to finish 2nd.

Not that it wasn’t fully expected…

1. Sergio Perez

But I did actually expect Verstappen to win the race overall.

But even with the pack bunched together and Max closer to the lead, he never came close to catching up to Sergio Perez who drove a flawless race and won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Will this mean we have an actual title fight on our hands this year?

No, but it’s still exactly what Red Bull wants out of their second driver.

An honorable mention to Fernando Alonso, who (as of right now) picked up the 100th podium of his career.

But there are still rumblings of a potential penalty, so we’ll wait and see if he keeps it.

UPDATE: Alonso was given a 10 second time penalty for improperly serving a penalty, so he has to wait for his 100th podium.

FOLLOW UP UPDATE: Alonso’s 10 second penalty was overturned and he does in fact have his 100th podium.

I’m as confused as you are!