Verstappen expects much closer F1 Saudi Arabian GP

Polesitter Verstappen appeared unimpeachable at the Sakhir circuit as he pulled out of DRS range of the chasing Ferrari of Charles Leclerc by the end of the opening lap.

Despite his 2022 chief championship rival starting with fresher tyres, Verstappen then stretched his soft Pirellis a lap longer than Leclerc and managed a rear axle locking issue when downshifting.

Once Leclerc retired with a Ferrari engine failure on lap 39, Verstappen could cruise to an 11.9s…