Sergio Perez qualified on the pole for the Formula 1 STC Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, his first career pole position after 215 attempts, but his weekend was overshadowed by his Red Bull teammate, Max Verstappen.
Verstappen and Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc dueled during the closing laps, trading the lead several times before Verstappen won the race after taking the lead on lap 47 of 50.
Verstappen won the race by .549 seconds for his 21st career victory. Carlos Sainz of Ferrari finished third to join the podium celebration.
After two races Leclerc leads the driver standings with 45 points, his Ferrari teammate, Sainz, is second with 33 points, and Verstappen is third with 25 points.
Ferrari leads the constructors standings with 78 points, followed by Mercedes with 38 and, after a better showing at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix,s Red Bull moved up to third with 37 points.
The NASCAR Cup Series headed to the Circuit of the America’s 3.41 mile road course in Austin Texas and Ross Chastain won his first car Cup Series race. It was the first win for Trackhouse Racing Team, which is co-owned by musician Pitbull.
Chastain got the lead in the last lap of overtime after pushing AJ Allmendinger into Alex Bowman and taking the lead in the ensuing scrum.
“It’s insane to go up against some of the best and I know he’s (Allmendinger) going to be upset with me, but we race hard, both of us,” said Chastain.
Bowman finished second, with Christopher Bell, Chase Elliott and Tyler Reddick rounding out the top 5. Allmendinger finished 33rd, after spinning off the track on the last lap.
Elliott leads the Cup Series standings, followed by Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Bowman and Chastain.
Upcoming schedules:
Formula 1: Rolex Gran Premio Del Made in Italy at Monza, April 24.
NASCAR Cup Series: Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond Raceway, Sunday April 3 at 3:30 p.m. (ET).
IndyCar: Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 10, 3:00 p.m. (ET)