Sergio Pérez

The three-time F1 champion Verstappen spent a long portion of the practice session working with Red Bull on adjustments to his car and was only 16th fastest

Helmut Marko has clouded the 2023 season with derogatory comments about the Mexican driver, drawing criticism from fans, the FIA and Lewis Hamilton

The U.S. GP 2023 will take place over 56 laps of the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, next Sunday, October 22

Verstappen had started second, behind Sainz, but eventually got past him at the start of lap 15 and from then on no one could match the Red Bull pace

Verstappen also moved closer to his own F1 record of 15 wins set last year and onto 46 overall

With a lead of 125 points over his nearest rival and Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez, he can even afford to ease up a bit as F1 returns from its mid-season break

At least five people have died in the flooding and 5,000 more have been evacuated, while electricity supplies and cell phone networks have been severely affected

Fernando Alonso finished third for the second consecutive race for his 100th career podium

Verstappen was fastest in all three practice sessions at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit but his qualifying effort was cut short Saturday

Red Bull dominated the season-opener in Bahrain two weeks ago with a 1-2 finish from two-time defending world champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez

Carlos Sainz has the fastest time so far over two days of testing