By F1 correspondent Michael Butterworth

BEIJING, March 10 (Xinhua) -- Red Bull's Max Verstappen made it two wins from two in the 2024 Formula 1 season with a dominant victory in Sunday's Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.

Starting from pole position, the Dutchman headed off the challenge of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc at the start, and though he briefly lost his lead after pitting during an early Safety Car period, Verstappen soon reasserted his dominance and was never truly threatened as he cruised to his ninth consecutive Grand Prix win.

"Overall, a fantastic weekend for the whole team and myself. I felt really good with the car and it was the same in the race," said Verstappen, whose winning streak stretches back to last year's Japanese Grand Prix.

"The last stint was a bit longer than we would have liked but with the Safety Car you had to go for it.

"The last few laps with cold tyres and backmarkers was a bit slippery, but we had good pace all-around and could manage it, so overall very pleased."

Behind Verstappen, Sergio Perez made it Red Bull's second 1-2 finish, with the Mexican illustrating the drinks-backed squad's dominance by finishing 11 seconds ahead of Leclerc, who took the bonus point for fastest lap on the race's final tour.

Oscar Piastri took fourth for McLaren, ahead of Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and the Mercedes of George Russell.

In seventh came an impressive Oliver Bearman on his F1 debut, with the Briton having being drafted in at short notice to replace Carlos Sainz at Ferrari after the Spaniard had been laid low with appendicitis following Friday's running.

18-year-old Bearman thus became the third-youngest driver ever to start a Grand Prix, and despite only having had one practice session in the SF-24 before Qualifying, the Briton drove a mature race and drew praise from across the paddock for his performance.

Finishing eighth and ninth were McLaren's Lando Norris and the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton, both of whom lost track position by not pitting under the early Safety Car to clear Lance Stroll's stricken Aston Martin, while Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the top ten to score a useful point for Haas.

Verstappen's win extends his early lead at the top of the Drivers' Championship standings and the Dutchman now has 51 points. Perez is second with 36, ahead of Leclerc on 28 points.

In the Constructors' Championship, Red Bull already have a commanding lead with 87 points. Ferrari are second with 49 points, with McLaren third on 28.

The third round of the 2024 F1 season is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 24. Enditem

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