P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Check out the biggest stories from Saturday 9th March with the RacingNews365 Review.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull had a historic day in Saudi Arabia, with Verstappen earning his 56th career win and leading Red Bull to its 115th victory, moving them into fourth place on the all-time list behind Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes. Verstappen’s ninth consecutive win matched the record for most successive wins, and he could break his own record if he wins in Melbourne next time. Sergio Perez finished second, continuing Red Bull’s strong start, with only Charles Leclerc denying them a maximum haul by nabbing the fastest lap.
The debut of Oliver Bearman for Ferrari was another major story in Jeddah, as he finished seventh in his first race, marking the highest debut finish for a driver since 2015. Helmut Marko’s talks with Red Bull’s sports boss suggested that he wouldn’t be suspended, leading to a strong defense from Verstappen. However, questions about Marko’s potential departure and Verstappen’s future with Red Bull remain unanswered.
Toto Wolff from Mercedes hinted at the possibility of making some moves to sign Verstappen, emphasizing the competitive power dynamics within Red Bull. Wolff’s statement signaled a potential shift in the Formula 1 landscape, with teams vying for top talents like Verstappen in the ongoing battle for supremacy.
