The thrilling start to the 2022 Formula 1 season continued with a fascinating scrap for the win at the front of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. But that was only after pole winner and early leader Sergio Perez had been done over by unfortunate safety car timing.
As it had in Bahrain a week earlier, the battle boiled down to a series of punch-and-counterpunch passes facilitated by the DRS overtaking aid. This split opinion on the nature of the fight in some quarters, but served up an intriguing race ending when it otherwise might have ended in a stalemate. Both victor and defeated rival were chuffed with how close and fair their fight had been once again.
