It was thought that we were witnessing a crazy Saudi Arabian GP, but few would have thought of all this. Two red flags, three VSCs and a Safety Car later, to pass under the checkered flag in front of everyone is Lewis Hamilton, in front of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull and the other Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas.
The race was anything but boring: to keep the attention alive was the relentless fight between Lewis and Max, with the orange often over the top. On more than one occasion, in fact, Verstappen has sought a hand-to-hand fight with Hamilton, knowing that from a double retirement he would have benefited himself personally.
The crime takes place ten laps from the end: Hamilton flanks and overtakes Max in turn 1, with the Dutchman finishing wide looking for Lewis’ W12 once again. The two end up under investigation and, on balance, the Red Bull driver would have been sanctioned with the need to return the position to Mercedes of the seven-time world champion. On the occasion of the last corner, Verstappen brakes very hard on the trajectory well before the braking point: Hamilton, in the wake, slows down as much as possible, but that’s not enough. The contact is inevitable and the front wing of the Englishman is damaged.
The accident between Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images
Lewis does not lose heart and sets up a series of fast laps. Meanwhile, Verstappen is given a penalty of 5 seconds – from a race direction that is anything but deserving of compliments – and this time Max is forced to open the door, not without a mammoth malice in wanting to take advantage of the DRS on the starting straight.
But that’s not enough. Hamilton takes off and wins his career number 103 GP, reaching equal points with Verstappen in view of the last race which will be held next weekend in Abu Dhabi.
Before getting on the podium, Lewis is visibly satisfied but his eyes do not hide the anger. “I didn’t understand why Max braked so hard all of a sudden. I ran into him, he moved. Only then did I get a radio message informing me that he would let me pass,” says the Englishman. .
“I tried to use my head and however hard the battle was, I used the experience accumulated over the years. We continued to push as a team, we persevered, even for all the things that happened. To be able to gain ground in this. part of the season is the result of everyone’s work and I am grateful for the car they gave me for the weekend, “continues Hamilton.
“We have a great pace for the final part of the season, but they – Red Bull, ed. – are fast and it is difficult to overtake them. We did a fantastic job, also a great race for Valtteri who brought many points to the team. This race. it’s for all the guys in the factory. “
Finally, Hamilton seems to make peace with Saudi Arabia after the statements of recent days. “I felt very welcome here. The people were lovely, the track is difficult both physically and mentally. Now let’s think about the next race,” concludes Lewis.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Esteban Ocon, Alpine A521
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Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12, and Esteban Ocon, Alpine A521
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Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12, and Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B
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Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
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Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12
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Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
The Safety Car Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12 and Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12
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Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, and Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF21
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Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, at the restart
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, at the restart
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, at the restart
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, at the restart
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, at the restart
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Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, at the restart
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Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, at the restart
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, at the restart
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, and Esteban Ocon, Alpine A521
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12, and Esteban Ocon, Alpine A521
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Photo by: Charles Coates / Motorsport Images
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12, Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes W12, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing RB16B, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF21
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Photo by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12 at the restart
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB16B, and Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W12 at the restart
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Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images