INTERNATIONAL: 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 (March 27) 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-opener in Bahrain.

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 the Bahrain GP.

Red Bull Driver, Max Verstappen, Said:

“It wasn’t easy playing smart tricks in the last corner, but eventually managed to get ahead, but then even after that, he (Leclerc) was constantly in the DRS, and then with the yellow flags in the last lap, just knowing how much you should lift where there’s allowed or not, it was tough but really happy that we finally kickstarted the season.”

FERRARI DRIVER, CHARLES LECLERC, Said:

“I mean, we had two very different configurations with Max and Checo (Sergio Perez), and both the Ferraris. We were quite quick in the corners, but quite slow in the strait because we put more downforce, and so it was extremely difficult for me to cover Max in the straits. But it’s like this. He did a great job and it was a fun race.”

Ferrari Driver, Carlos Sainz, Said:

“Yeah, for me this race was a bit of progress from Bahrain. I think I managed to find a bit more rhythm with the car. Still some tenths to find, but I think I will end up getting there.”

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