Hamilton wins, draws dispute and leaves F1 definition for last GP

The English Lewis Hamilton, from Mercedes, won the Saudi Arabian GP this Sunday (5) and drew with the Dutchman Max Verstappen, from Red Bull, in the lead of the dispute for the F1 title. Verstappen was second and the Finn Valtteri Bottas, also from Mercedes, completed the podium.

With the victory and the extra point for the fastest lap of the race, Hamilton reached 369.5 points in the season, the same score as the Dutchman, who still has the advantage of adding more victories than the English during the year: 9 to 8.

The decision, therefore, will be for next Sunday (12), at the Abu Dhabi GP, the last of the season.

The race in Saudi Arabia was marred by a series of stoppages. Before the first third of the race was completed, there were two red flags after accidents. When the GP was resumed, Verstappen started well, passing Hamilton and Ocon and taking the lead in the race.

With seven laps to go in the race, however, Verstappen took a 5-second penalty after a dispute between the two drivers and Hamilton took the lead, a position he held until the end of the race.

The victory extends a positive streak for Hamilton, who had been closing the points difference for the then F1 leader. The Englishman had won the last two races, in Brazil and Qatar.

The Brazilian race, by the way, was especially important for him, as the triumph represented a proof of overcoming obstacles in a weekend in which the Briton faced a series of punishments – one of which even made him start in tenth.

This was the first time that Saudi Arabia has hosted a GP, in a partnership that has come under heavy criticism for linking the category to a government accused of violating human rights. Hamilton spoke about the topic before the race.

“I can’t pretend that I have more knowledge than someone who grew up in this community and is heavily affected by certain rules and regime. Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn’t say I do, but it’s not my choice to be here. sport chose that. Whether it’s right or wrong, I believe that while we’re here, it’s important to raise awareness,” said the Mercedes driver.