19 March 2023 , 21:06
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Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez chatted about their late battle for the fastest lap of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as they waited for the podium after the race.
Perez started on pole and won the race – only briefly ceding the lead to Fernando Alonso who got a good start off the line. He soon took first place back and led for the rest of the race, finishing a little over five seconds ahead of his Red Bull team-mate.
The fact Verstappen got so close was impressive considering he had started from 15th place. The win was beyond him, but he did get one over Perez by pushing all-out on the final lap of the race to set the fastest time – and steal the extra point that comes with it.
It means Verstappen retains his lead over his team-mate in the championship standings after the first two races of the year. It could be significant if a close title race between the two Red Bull drivers occurs as the season progresses.
Verstappen was the last of the trio to reach the cool down room after giving his trackside interview at the end of the race. Perez and Alonso were stood chatting in Spanish when the Dutchman walked in, placed his helmet in Alonso's seat and quickly plopped in the chair reserved for the race winner Perez.
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He said: "It wasn't easy in the beginning. Just following the other cars through the sectors. You lose so much because of the tail impact." Alonso asked him if the safety car had helped, to which he replied: "Yes. I would say. I would have caught up, but it made it easier."
Perez won the Saudi GP with Verstappen in second place (Getty Images)But Perez only had one thing on his mind. "Did you get the fastest lap in the end?" he asked, prompting a nod from his team-mate who replied: "On the last lap, yeah. I asked what the fastest lap was, and I think it was a tenth faster."
Perez had no response so Alonso, as he sat down next to Verstappen, asked: "Do you know what you did?" And the Dutchman said: "31.9," referring to his fastest lap time which denied the Mexican an extra point.
Despite being in the cool down room and taking to the podium to collect his trophy, Alonso was stripped of third place soon after as he was awarded a post-race time penalty for not having properly served another during the Grand Prix.