Red Bull explain Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez DNFs, expect instant fix for Saudi Arabian GP

Red Bull say they “expect no problems” this weekend after diagnosing the issue that caused Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez to retire in Bahrain; Watch this weekend’s Saudi Arabian GP all live on Sky Sports F1, starting with practice on Friday

Red Bull have revealed the problem that caused their double DNF in F1’s season-opener and are confident they have found an immediate fix for Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez’s cars for the Saudi Arabian GP.

Both Verstappen and Perez suffered strange reliability failures in the closing stages of last weekend’s Bahrain GP, with their engines cutting out when running in podium positions, resulting in retirements.

The early diagnosis was a fuel pump issue and Verstappen told Sky Sports F1 on Thursday that it was “complicated” and that “there was no fuel going to the engine anymore”.

Red Bull confirmed with a statement on Friday morning before the Saudi Arabian GP, that “both cars suffered from a lack of fuel pressure last weekend”.

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Carlos Sainz overtakes Max Verstappen as he is forced to retire the race due to technical faults in his car.

“The correct amount of fuel was in both cars, but a vacuum prevented the pumps from drawing fuel and delivering it to the engine,” a spokesperson explained.

The Saudi Arabian GP kicks off later on Friday with practice. All sessions, through to Sunday’s race at 6pm, are live on Sky Sports F1.

“We’ve taken the necessary steps to correct this issue and we expect no problems this weekend,” Red Bull added.

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Max Verstappen discusses the engine issues that saw him retire from the Bahrain GP. Watch the full interview in our coverage across the Saudi Arabian GP weekend.

Follow the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sky Sports

Sky Sports F1 is your home for every race this season, and it continues with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend.

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Simon Lazenby is joined by Johnny Herbert and Paul Di Resta to look ahead to the Saudi Arabian GP.

All the action – from Friday’s two practice sessions (2pm and 5pm) through to Saturday’s final practice (2pm) and qualifying (5pm) and Sunday’s Grand Prix (6pm) – is live on the channel, while as always you can also follow the action online on the Sky Sports App.

Jenson Button, Paul Di Resta, Anthony Davidson, Johnny Herbert, David Croft, Simon Lazenby and Natalie Pinkham will all be in Jeddah bringing their expert insight and analysis.

Sky Sports F1’s full TV schedule

* indicates simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event. Friday’s Drivers Press Conference is only on Main Event.

Friday, March 25
10am: F1 Drivers Press Conference (on Sky Sports Main Event)
11.25pm: Formula 2 Practice
1.30pm: Saudi Arabian GP Practice One* (session starts 2pm)
3.20pm: Formula 2 Qualifying*
4.45pm: Saudi Arabian GP Practice Two (session starts 5pm)
6.10pm: The F1 Show

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Anthony Davidson takes a look at the differences between the 2021 and 2022 Jeddah track layouts ahead of the Saudi Arabian GP.

Saturday, March 26
12.25pm: Formula 2 Sprint Race
1.45pm: Saudi Arabian GP Practice Three (session starts 2pm)
4pm: Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying build-up
5pm: SAUDI ARABIAN GP QUALIFYING
8pm: Saudi Arabian GP Qualifying hits

Sunday, March 27
2.30pm: Formula 2 Feature Race
4.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Saudi Arabia*
6pm: THE SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX
8pm: Chequered Flag: Saudi Arabia*
9.30pm: Saudi Arabian GP Highlights

The Formula 1 season continues on Friday on Sky Sports F1 with the Saudi Arabian GP. Sunday’s race starts at 6pm. Find out more & subscribe.