Sergio Perez has recorded victory at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull teammate and defending champion Max Verstappen.
After Verstappen experienced power failure midway through qualifying, Perez was able to secure pole for just the second time in his career.
Perez did not lead from start to finish - the Mexican was passed by Fernando Alonso during the opening exchanges - but he dominated from the fourth lap onwards.
However, the race was not without its drama as Verstappen negotiated his way from 15th on the grid to finish second, just over five seconds adrift of the winner.
Based on car performance, Alonso did everything required to earn what would have been a deserved podium, a second in a row in the Aston Martin.
Nobody could stop @SChecoPerez in Jeddah 💪#SaudiArabianGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/h0FUWND4Gz
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 19, 2023
Instead, the Spaniard ended up in fourth, initially being handed a five-second penalty for an incorrect grid position and being deducted a further 10 seconds after his car was illegally worked on during that first punishment.
Alonso came over the line in third for what could have been his 100th Formula 1 podium before race officials enforced the second punishment.
Mercedes driver George Russell was the direct beneficiary, being promoted up to third, while Lewis Hamilton missed out on a promotion to fourth by less than half a second.
The Ferrari pair of Carlos Sainz Jr and Charles Leclerc had to make do with sixth and seventh respectively, the latter having started in 12th due to a 10-place grid penalty.
Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly - each of Alpine - finished eighth and ninth, with Kevin Magnussen completing the top 10 in the Haas.
Darren Plant
