F1 2022: Max Verstappen holds off Charles Leclerc and wins the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix!, race results, quotes, standing..

That was an absolutely enthralling race for the line between Verstappen and Leclerc. The Dutchman eventually chose his moment perfectly and Leclerc just didn’t have enough life in the tyres to overtake again.

The world champion is off and running for 2022.

Formula one champion Max Verstappen swept past Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc four laps from the finish to take his first win of the season at Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

The Dutchman, who had started fourth, crossed the line just half a second ahead of Leclerc, who keeps the championship lead, having led a Ferrari one-two in last week's season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Spaniard Carlos Sainz was third for the Italian team.

The win was the 21st of Verstappen's career and handed him his first points of the year after Red Bull's double retirement in Bahrain.

His team mate Sergio Perez, who finished fourth, was unable to convert his first career pole into victory after the Mexican's strategy was undone by the safety car.

George Russell took fifth for struggling Mercedes ahead of Alpine's Esteban Ocon, who edged McLaren's Lando Norris to sixth by just 0.1 seconds.

Lewis Hamilton, winner of last year's inaugural Saudi race, recovered to claim the final point in 10th after starting 15th.

Will Verstappen v Leclerc be the story of the season?

How they finished the 2022 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix race, Standing, Final results.

Here are the final race results from Saudi Arabia:

1. Verstappen

2. Leclerc

3. Sainz

4. Perez

5. Russell

6. Ocon

7. Norris

8. Gasly

9. Magnussen

10. Hamilton

11. Zhou

12. Hulkenberg

13. Stroll

DNF --- Albon, Bottas, Alonso, Ricciardo, Latifi, Tsunoda

Drivers standings after Verstappen wins in Saudi Arabia

Here’s an update on the top of the drivers’ standings after Max Verstappen’s victory in Jeddah:

1) Leclerc - 45

2) Sainz - 33

3) Verstappen - 25

4) Russell - 22

5) Hamilton - 16

6) Ocon - 14

7) Perez - 12

8) Magnussen - 12

9) Bottas - 8

10) Norris - 6

What's They Said: Saudi Arabia GP Post-Race Quotes, conference, interviews..

Saudi Arabia Race winner Max Verstappen:

"It was a really tough race but a good race. We were both battling hard at the front. We just tried to play the long game.

"They were really quick through corners and we were really quick on the straight.

"The tyres were wearing out quite quick. You could see by the end we had a little bit more pace. I tried to get by, it wasn't easy, they were playing smart tricks in the last corner, but eventually I managed to get ahead.

"Even after that he was constantly in the DRS.

"Really happy we finally kick-started the season."

Charles Leclerc who finished second:

"It was not enough today. I really enjoyed that race, it was hard racing but fair! Every race should be like this. It was fun, I wanted to win today!"

"We had two very different configurations with the Red Bulls. We were quite quick in the corner, but slow in straights. It was extremely difficult for me to cover Max in the straight. Max did a great job, it was a fun race."

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz, who finished third:

"It was a close call with Checo. I think he got a bit unlucky with the safety car but the rules are the rules. I was just ahead at the safety line, it was my position then. From then it was all about holding on to P3.

"The Red Bulls were super quick in the last 10 laps after the tyres cooled down, they were flying and putting pressure on us.

"For me this race was a bit of progress from Bahrain. I managed to find a bit more rhythm with the car. There are still some tenth to find but I think I will end up getting there."

What next race in F1 2022 Schedule after Saudi Arabia GP.?

A two-week break before the Australian Grand Prix, as F1 returns to Melbourne for the first time since the 2020 event was called off as the pandemic took hold around the globe.

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