F1 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix: Daniel Ricciardo forced to retire as Max Verstappen steals win

Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren are running out of answers for why things keep going horribly wrong. After another disaster in Saudi Arabia, what happens next?

McLaren's Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo (C) drives during the 2022 Saudi Arabia Formula One Grand Prix

Another race weekend, another nightmare for Daniel Ricciardo and McLaren with the Australian forced to retire with 13 laps left in the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

A week after a double retirement in Bahrain, McLaren appear lost for answers as their season stoops to diabolical lows.

Ricciardo’s car appeared to give out close to the end of the race with the Aussie saying “I’ve got no drive. I can’t accelerate,” over the radio.

The result will have extra sting for Ricciardo who had moved from 14th to 9th before it was cruelly ended by what experts have speculated was engine failure.

“The end result was obviously not what I wanted, but this weekend was more promising and we performed better on this track,” he said afterwards.

“We’re still not where we want to be, but this was a small step in the right direction. Without the issue that ended my race we could’ve had both cars finishing in the points. It’s positive to see Lando get some points for the team after a decent battle.

“We’ve still got a lot to improve but we’re in a better place than Bahrain. So, we’ll take that, keep working, and build from here.”

His McLaren teammate Lando Norris finished in seventh.

Ricciardo was one of five retirees in the race with

Nicholas Latifi, Valtteri Bottas, Fernando Alonso and Yuki Tsunoda failing to finish.

Max Verstappen took the win after an incredible battle with lifelong friend and Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc.

Carlos Sainz in the other Ferrari was third with Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate who had set off from pole, in fourth.

Verstappen was securing his first points of the season after retiring late on behind winner Leclerc in the season-opener in Bahrain last weekend.

Daniel Ricciardo leaves th etrack after retiring from the race

Unlucky, DR. Next up is your home dance! 🇦🇺🏁 pic.twitter.com/WkcNBRU5IO

— McLaren (@McLarenF1) March 27, 2022

“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,” Verstappen said afterwards.

“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.

Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium

“Really happy we finally kick-started the season.”

Despite defeat, Leclerc maintains his world championship lead after two rounds. “It wasn’t enough today, but I really enjoyed that race. It’s hard racing but it’s fair, every race should be like this. It was fun, I’m obviously disappointed, I wanted to win today,” he said.

Merecedes’ deposed seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who endured his worst qualifying since 2017 on Saturday, set off in the unfamiliar surroundings of 15th on the grid and crossed the line in 10th.

The final standings are yet to be locked in with three deivers - Sainz, Magnussen and Perez - under investigation for failing to slow under yellow flags.

Two drivers failed to make the start - with Mick Schumacher absent after his horror crash in qualifying, and Yuki Tsunoda’s AlphaTauri packing up in the warm-up lap.

The race only went ahead following lengthy talks in the aftermath of Friday’s missile strike by Yemen’s Huthi rebels on the nearby Aramco fuel plant.

TOP 10

1) Verstappen

2) Leclerc

3) Sainz

4) Perez

5) Russell

6) Ocon

7) Norris

8) Gasly

9) Magnussen

10) Hamilton

WHAT THE DRIVERS SAID

George Russell P5: It was probably the most physical race I’ve ever experienced in F1. It was an enjoyable race even though I was on my own. We have work to do but we maximised everything. The car felt generally good, we’re just lacking overall grip. The concentration with high speed corners, you’re holding on for dear life. It was a cool experience, I think all drivers were pushed to the minute.

Lewis Hamilton P10: I struggled at the beginning with tyre temperatures but it got better and i started to gain on others. It was a great stint. I was doing the same times George so I was feeling good but then it all hit the fan. I don’t know (why he didn’t make it to the pit under VSC), I have to speak to the team, it’s gutting. We got points for the team. Not much has changed since the last race, what I know is today I couldn’t keep up with the Haas at the end. We have a lot of work to do.

Sergio Perez P4: “This is just racing. Especially in this place we knew we could be in that situation. Things were looking really good but unfortunately Latifi put it in the wall at the wrong time for me. “It is racing, it will come for me.”

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc congratulates Red Bull's Max Verstappen

Carlos Sainz P3: “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.”

Christian Horner - Red Bull Team Principal: What a great race, an exciting last few laps and we just had enough to bring it home. “It was a patient race for Max, he looked after his tyres. Such bad luck for Checo, The Safety Car was at the wrong time but you can’t do anything about that. He’s driven brilliantly all weekend, he’ll take a lot of confidence.”

Charles Leclerc P2: “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.”

Max Verstappen: “It was a tricky one. One themediums there’s not enough front grip so that wasn’t a lot of fun. As soon as we put the hard tyre on, I had a much better feeling. He (Leclerc) played it quite smart, their attack and defend mode is very good. We had four laps of qualifying laps, he was constantly in my DRS. It is super close beteen the two of us. You have to be patient but I have to score points and I want to win.

DRIVERS’ STANDINGS

1) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari - 45

2) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari - 33

3) Max Verstappen, Red Bull - 25

4) George Russell, Mercedes - 22

5) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes - 16