HAMILTON WINS AN ACTION PACKED SAUDI ARABIAN GRAND PRIX
What a race the inaugural race Saudi Arabia gave us with two red flags five retirements and the title fight everyone had hoped for with the final results meaning we go to Abu Dhabi with the two title rivals on level points. Hamilton then wins in Jeddah with Verstappen in second and just about Valtteri Bottas in third for Mercedes.
It was a clean first corner with Lewis Hamilton leading to teammate Bottas then Verstappen in third.
Just 10 laps in it was the Haas of Mick Schumacher who ended up in the barriers with the rear of the car stepping out on him and he is helpless and the only destination is the barriers meaning the Safety Car is deployed - Hamilton comes in from the lead along with Bottas who also pits from second and Verstappen decides to stay out and takes the lead of the race.
Three laps later the race is red flagged meaning Red Bull can make their pit stop during this time and so Verstappen won’t loose anytime to the two Mercedes behind him who have both pitted.
On Lap 15 the racing resumed with a standing start - Verstappen rides the kerb to take the first corner after Hamilton had a better start with Ocon (Alpine) in second and Hamilton third with a big crash behind with Mazepin (Haas) taken out - Russell (Williams) and Perez (Red Bull) are also forced to retire. The red flag is once again deployed. It was Perez who spun first which caused Mazepin to go into the back of Russell who had slowed to avoid the sideways Red Bull.
Two laps later he race restarted again with a standing start - Ocon (Alpine) started from pole with Hamilton second and Verstappen in third. Verstappen leads into turn one with Ocon in second and Hamilton in third. A diving move into turn one and Max leads without going over the kerb this time.
Lap 18: Hamilton makes an easy move on Ocon to take second.
Lap 23: Tsunoda is in the wall.
On lap 37 Hamilton tries to take the lead but Verstappen keeps himself ahead and there’s some slight contact between the two title rivals.
Then they touch again as Verstappen is being told to give the position back and Hamilton doesn't quite seem to understand why Max has slowed down and Hamilton goes into the back of the Red Bull damaging Hamiltons front wing which seems to make him quicker.
On lap 42 Verstappen allows Hamilton past and Max is able to get back past in the braking and is given a 5 second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage from a previous move into the first turn.
Just one lap later Hamilton leads the race after a pass on Verstappen - Max is guaranteed second because of how far back Ocon (Alpine) and Bottas (Mercedes) are.
Lap 46: Vettel retires.
The next race is the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix where this incredible title fight will come to a conclusion with both Hamilton and Verstappen on the same points.
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: Under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. All images are owned by Formula One.
Comentários