The reigning and three-time world champion started on pole, leading Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Perez, and proceeded to secure one of the most comfortable victories in a career already filled with commanding triumphs.
Perez finished in second place, trailing Verstappen by 13 seconds, while Leclerc secured third on the podium, a notable 18 seconds behind.
The victory marked a positive turn for Red Bull, which has enjoyed a dominant start to the season on the track but faced turbulence off it, with team principal Christian Horner involved in controversy related to alleged inappropriate behavior toward a female colleague. Horner has vehemently denied the allegations, and the win provides a brief respite from the scrutiny he has faced this season.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly retired early in the race, and there was an early safety scare when Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll crashed out on the eighth lap. McLaren’s Lando Norris briefly led after the restart, but Verstappen quickly re-established dominance, taking the lead ahead of Perez and never appearing likely to relinquish it.
Ferrari’s 18-year-old sensation, Ollie Bearman, who replaced the appendicitis-afflicted Carlos Sainz, finished a creditable seventh, scoring points in his first grand prix.
Verstappen now leads the early-season standings with 51 points, followed by Perez with 36 and Leclerc with 28.
The night concluded with fireworks illuminating the Jeddah sky. However, the most explosive performance of the night belonged to Verstappen, who appears poised to secure a third consecutive F1 title.