F1: Saudi Arabia Race, Red Bull Takes the Win

Formula 1 race at Saudi Arabia finishes with Red Bull taking the win over Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. 

Charles Leclerc says, "Well done to Max, that was nice."

That was the verdict of Charles Leclerc after finishing the grand prix just half a second behind Max Verstappen, following another epic duel for victory -- their second in the space of eight days. 

Based on the past two races and the comparative pace of their two cars, Formula One fans ought to get used to the idea of Verstappen and Leclerc fighting for wins. It feels like it's been a long time coming.

Four laps from the finish Max Verstappen resisted the urge to pass Leclerc on the final corner and won a drag race from there to Turn 1, taking a lead he would not relinquish.

Verstappen says, "eventually I had a go and got ahead but once I got ahead it was like four laps flat out trying to stay ahead because Charles was consistently in my DRS. It was quite tough out there."

Leclerc was disappointed to lose but was happy to reflect on how good the duel at the front had been.

"It's obviously disappointing to lose the win so late in the race but it was a fun fight," Leclerc said. "It was very difficult as we had two cars that were in a very different place. I was very strong in the first sector, all the corners, and basically much less strong in the straights."

If Verstappen and Leclerc are closely matched as we get deeper into the season, expect them to be far less polite with each other in their wheel-to-wheel encounters -- that's just the nature of motor racing.