Saudi Arabia Grand Prix Preview: Will Verstappen become champion this weekend?
Saudi Arabia Grand Prix Preview: Will Verstappen become champion this weekend?
By Henry Holland
The Formula 1 circus has landed in Jeddah for the first Saudi Arabia Grand Prix this weekend and the stakes could hardly be higher.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are separated by just eight points in the World Championship standings and, with two races to go, their thrilling fight is going down to the wire.
Hamilton has the momentum but Verstappen has the points, making it too close to call as they shape up for an end-of-season double-header, with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to follow next week.
Throw into the mix a first-ever race at a brand-new street circuit, and all the unknowns that come with it, and this is not to be missed.
LAST TIME OUT
Hamilton looked a beaten man just two races ago, as Verstappen celebrated his ninth win of the season in Mexico City. But since then, the Brit has turned the tables on his Red Bull rival.
Hamilton, boosted by a new engine, overcame two grid penalties to win in Brazil, while last time out in Qatar he was untouchable out front.
He took pole position and disappeared into the distance to win comfortably, with Verstappen desperately chasing.
It was a case of damage limitation for the Dutchman, who was penalised for not slowing down under yellow flags in qualifying and dropped to seventh on the grid.
Finishing second seemed a tall task but he cut through the field and was soon chasing Hamilton out front. The pair pulled away from the rest at a frightening pace, but Hamilton was rarely under pressure.
TITLE RACE WATCH – Can Verstappen become champion?
As unlikely as it is, Max Verstappen could leave Saudi Arabia as the champion.
He needs to score 18 more points than Hamilton and, with 25 on the table for a win and 18 for coming second, he could do that this week.
However, with the pair almost certain to place first and second barring some kind of disaster, it is much more likely they finish the weekend level on points.
If Hamilton wins the race and sets the fastest lap, he will collect 26 points. If Verstappen then comes second, his eight-point lead will be wiped out and the two drivers will head to Abu Dhabi dead level.
Elsewhere, there is the matter of the constructors battle to think about. Mercedes currently have a five-point lead over Red Bull, so the battle between the back-ups – Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez – will be crucial.
Ferrari seem to have third place locked up, but McLaren duo Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo are confident they can strike back at a circuit suited to their car.
It’s unlikely either team can compete with Red Bull and Mercedes in the race but they could certainly cause a scare.
SAUDI CONTROVERSY
In the background to such an exciting title battle is the politics behind a race being held in Saudi Arabia.
In his Thursday press conference, Hamilton said he was uncomfortable racing in a country with such a poor human rights record and Amnesty International said the race is being used to “sports-wash” the country’s reputation.
Hamilton will be wearing the same helmet he used in Qatar, which is painted with the rainbow flag in support of LGBTQ+ rights, while four-time champion Sebastian Vettel organised a karting event for women on Thursday.
Even though the race will go ahead, the drivers are determined to ensure the world’s focus is not only on the track.
Picture Credit: Getty Images