Verstappen Leads Red Bull One-Two in First Saudi Practice

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the first free practice ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix at the Jeddah corniche circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Friday, March 17, 2023. (AP)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the first free practice ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix at the Jeddah corniche circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Friday, March 17, 2023. (AP)
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Verstappen Leads Red Bull One-Two in First Saudi Practice

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the first free practice ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix at the Jeddah corniche circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Friday, March 17, 2023. (AP)
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the first free practice ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix at the Jeddah corniche circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Friday, March 17, 2023. (AP)

Formula One champion Max Verstappen shrugged off a stomach upset and picked up where he left off on Friday, with the Dutch driver leading Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez one-two in first practice for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, third in the March 5 opener in Bahrain behind Verstappen and Perez, was again the best of the rest.

Last year's winner Verstappen, who delayed his arrival in the Kingdom as he recovered from the bug, got straight down to work with a fastest lap of one minute 29.617 seconds.

Perez was 0.483 slower with double world champion Alonso 0.698 off Verstappen's pace and Canadian teammate Lance Stroll, still recovering from breaking both wrists and a big toe in a pre-season cycling accident, fourth.

The Mercedes pair of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were fifth and sixth and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz was the seventh quickest.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who will have a 10-place penalty on the grid for Sunday's race after a change of electronic control unit, was 11th.



Verstappen Refuses to Be Drawn on Future ahead of British GP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen gave little away when quizzed about his future. Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP
Red Bull's Max Verstappen gave little away when quizzed about his future. Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP
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Verstappen Refuses to Be Drawn on Future ahead of British GP

Red Bull's Max Verstappen gave little away when quizzed about his future. Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP
Red Bull's Max Verstappen gave little away when quizzed about his future. Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP

Max Verstappen on Thursday refused to be drawn on questions about discussions with Mercedes and exit clauses in his Red Bull contract when he spoke to reporters ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix.

Facing a succession of questions about his future, following reports in Italy that he had agreed to join Mercedes next year, the Dutchman was polite, but evasive in his answers, stressing that for him it would be ideal to complete his career with one team –- Red Bull.

"I am happy where I am," he said. "There are always rumors, but only one who decides and that is me and the team. I control my own destiny and I am happy and in control of where I'm at."

Sky Sport Italia on Wednesday reported that he had agreed to join Mercedes, sparking speculation that he was set to replace arch-rival George Russell, but the Briton earlier stated he was confident of keeping his seat.

He said he expected to confirm his new contract with Mercedes -- the team believed to be best prepared for the regulation changes next year -- within a few weeks.

"I've nothing to add to last week," said Verstappen. "Of course, other people write stuff and that's great but it's not me... Happy with my team? In life, you can always see other things and think, as they say, the grass is greener on the other side.

"But I think it is best to stay calm and up to now we have had success except for some time this season and this can happen and you have to accept it.

"I know what I have and what we can do and that's fine, but, to be honest, I have nothing to add to last week. I am focused on the team and to improve."

One-team man

Asked if he felt he needed to be in the fastest car to win races and titles, Verstappen said it is "difficult in F1 to be in the fastest car... Who would know that two years ago who will be fastest?

"I don't focus much on it, I just try to improve my own situation and where we want to be next year. If you chase the fastest car now it may not be the fastest car next year. Sometimes you can luck in and then win four, or five or six titles..."

The 27-year-old shared that being a one-team man was an interesting prospect for him, while stating that he had never been tempted to leave Austrian constructor Red Bull.

"I'm gonna say no..." he said on the questioning of ever having felt tempted to take a seat elsewhere in the paddock.

"I don't want more headlines. It would be ideal to finish my career at Red Bull with one team. That would be something amazing and I am still trying to achieve that.

"We are fighting for podiums now and that's not too bad!"

Reports suggested Verstappen's contract contained exit clauses that could be activated if he is not in the top three in the drivers championship at the end of July.

But the four-time world champion bluntly refused to reveal any details about his deal with Red Bull.

"To be honest, I am not speaking about my contract. It's easier like that," he said.