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Qualifying duels after Saudi Arabia | Verstappen loses lead on Perez

Qualifying duels after Saudi Arabia | Verstappen loses lead on Perez

18-03-2023 20:08 Last update: 21:16
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GPblog.com

Based on the free practice sessions, Max Verstappen seemed to have (relatively) little trouble beating Sergio Perez in qualifying for the second time this year, but after the second Saturday of the season, the qualifying duel is still in the balance: 1-1. Nyck de Vries lost to Yuki Tsunoda for the second time in a row.

Charles Leclerc, George Russell, Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, Alexander Albon and so Tsunoda all beat their teammate for the second time this year and so they remain faultless. Hulkenberg's performance is especially handsome, especially as Magnussen impressed last year and the German himself spent several years on the sidelines.

Oscar Piastri, as a rookie, beat a teammate for the first time in his F1 career. After two qualifying sessions, Verstappen/Perez and Valtteri Bottas/Guanyu Zhou are further tied in the standings.

F1 2023 qualifying duel after Saudi Arabia

Red Bull Racing: Verstappen/Perez 1-1
Ferrari: Leclerc/Sainz 2-0
Mercedes: Hamilton/Russell 0-2
McLaren: Norris/Piastri 1-1
Alpine: Gasly/Ocon 0-2
AlphaTauri: De Vries/Tsunoda: 0-2
Aston Martin: Alonso/Stroll 2-0
Alfa Romeo: Bottas/Zhou 1-1
Haas: Magnussen/Hulkenberg 0-2
Williams: Albon/Sargeant 2-0