Gallery: the best images from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Pessimists, look away now: after pre-season testing and the opening Bahrain Grand Prix, some feared that Red Bull and its frighteningly quick RB19 looked set to run away with both drivers’ and constructors’ championships. Could a change of venue peg them back?

Er, no. Sergio Perez qualified on pole for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, and after a couple of laps stuck behind the Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso, the Mexican duly powered to victory.

Meanwhile his teammate Max Verstappen - struck by reliability issues in qualifying - had to start P15, but still had the pace to come through the field and finish second, claiming the bonus point for the fastest lap as he passed the chequered flag.

A single point separates the Red Bull pair, and the team already has a 39-point cushion over its closest challengers after just two grands prix. Gulp.

Fernando Alonso claimed the final podium place. Until he was penalised. Before being un-penalised again. Meanwhile Mercedes had to settle for fourth and fifth, with both Ferraris and Alpines in the points and the Haas of Kevin Magnussen rounding out the top 10.

Where’s F1 off to next? That’d be Australia in two weeks, where McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri will race in front of his home fans in F1 for the first time. Wonder if Daniel Ricciardo will show up in his reserve driver/brand ambassador capacity with Red Bull?