Some patience. Timed DRS. A last-minute move. This is all it took Max Verstappen to clinch the Saudi Arabian GP. While his rival Charles Leclerc led a good number of laps and was far ahead of Max, Nicholas Latifi’s déjà vu crash changed it all.

The team advised Verstappen on the radio to save his DRS and wait for his turn. While he chased Leclerc, he smartly decided to hang back, overtook Leclerc on lap 47, and did not let him cover it up.

If the season start is anything to base our predictions on, well, it’s a Ferrari vs Red Bull year. Monegasque Charles is producing thunderous performances as he skillfully clocks in the fastest laps.

READ MORE: WATCH: Mercedes F1 Onboard Catches a Disheartened Lewis Hamilton After Finishing P10 at Jeddah

However, fresh off the championship win, Verstappen is wiser than ever. The fearsome drivers stand equal now as they share 1-1 Grand Prix wins. Though Leclerc tops the points table, one can trust Max to close the gap anytime.

Be ready for a Charles Leclerc vs. Max Verstappen showdown

A recent video showed Max struggling through Leclerc’s visor strip, which his car unfortunately caught. It was commendable how the Dutchman maintained his calm and kept driving despite the understandable irritation.

The Jeddah circuit requires undivided attention and can involve drivers in major crashes if they take off their eyes even for a second. Verstappen, dexterous as he is, tried to take off the visor for a whole lap while also managing a decisive overtake.

The following lap saw the most exciting run and chase where Charles got unlucky due to yellow flags emerging at the very end moment. Max was dominant, yet fearful of Leclerc catching up to him at any moment, which the Monegasque actually could have.

Watch This Story: From Mick Schumacher’s crash to Lewis Hamilton’s sad plight, notable moments from Saudi Arabia Qualifying

Despite the yellow flags, Leclerc lost to Verstappen by only half a second. Just imagine if the flags never made it out. If this is any sign, then we’re in for the most anxiety-inducing last laps for the rest of the season.

The world now awaits the Australian GP, which is due on April 7. This is an exciting comeback for the Albert Park circuit, which will host an F1 race after two years.