'If only Perez and Verstappen can win F1 title, let's hope it's a proper fight'

Plus: Great Read - Racers in the Resistance | View in browser F1 | MARK HUGHES 'If only Perez and Verstappen can win F1 title, let's hope it's a proper fight' Midfield battles provided most of the entertainment as Sergio Perez led Max Verstappen to a Red Bull 1-2 in Saudi Arabia. On current form there's no other way they'll be beaten, writes Mark Hughes Sergio Perez stayed steely as team mate Max Verstappen came at him, no team orders. Checo had cursed when, just like last year here, the safety car came out at a very inopportune moment for him – for it brought Verstappen to within just 5sec behind by the time he'd easily DRS'd his way past George Russell's Mercedes and Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin. But on the other hand Perez was fortunate that Max had started back in 15th after a driveshaft had failed on him in Q2. READ MORE PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES 'Hamilton hasn't got the car he needs': Mercedes races to save its season After a season of struggling to catch Red Bull, Mercedes is even further back in 2023, with a car that Lewis Hamilton can't connect with. But team boss Toto Wolff says it's making big steps after realising its concept was wrong. READ MORE FROM OUR ARCHIVE, APRIL 2013 | JOE SAWARD Great Read: Robert Benoist and the Grand Prix saboteurs Bravery in a racing car does not necessarily translate into the bravery of the battlefield. In the case of Robert Benoist – born on this day in 1895 – William Grover ('Williams') and Jean-Pierre Wimille, it did. When Hitler invaded France these three grand prix drivers, two Frenchmen and one French-domiciled Englishman, took up the fight in that most dangerous arena, the Resistance. Only Wimille survived the war: Benoist and Grover were killed after being captured during their campaign of sabotage. Joe Saward uncovers the whole story of the trio's underground network and the dangers these men ran in the name of liberty. Here we present an extract, beginning as the German army rolls towards Paris. Grover has joined the British army; Benoist, an officer in the French air force, is still in France… READ MORE PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES F1 drivers opt for right to remain silent: Up and Down in Saudi Another race breezes past DRS-style with little in the way of excitement but for Fernando Alonso's podium charge yet again. The FIA cottoned on to the idea and decided to throw in some penalty confusion to spice things up further. READ MORE Reliability scare is rivals' only hope as Perez leads Red Bull 1-2 in Saudi Arabia   Red Bull proved Bahrain was far from a one-off as Sergio Perez won the 2023 Saudi Arabian GP and Max Verstappen raced from 15th to second. Behind, Fernando Alonso was classified third... then fourth... then third again READ MORE SHOP PROMOTION Bestsellers: Motor Sport shop Fernando Alonso | Ferrari | 2013 | Andrew Barber | Art Print Oracle Red Bull Racing | RB18 Blueprint | 2022 | Poster Martini Wall Clock Kimi Räikkönen - Ferrari - 2007 | replica steering wheel | signed Kimi Räikkönen | full-size Verstappen 22 | Limited Edition Giclée Print | By James Stevens Max Verstappen Mug by Kevin McNicholas Share this newsletter: Stay up to date  Update your preferences to select the content you wish to receive.   UPDATE NOW  Unsubscribe | Privacy Policy. Motor Sport magazine, 18-20 Rosemont Road, London, NW3 6NE Company no. 05471049, Vat no. 871 544 60