Reuters
Formula One F1- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – December 5, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action during the race REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
Reuters
Formula One F1- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – December 5, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in action during the race REUTERS/Ahmed Yosri
The red flags and yellow flags of the Saudi Arabian GP have only made the race so much more interesting. Thus, giving us a collision between the title protagonists. As the yellow flag following Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen threw debris all over the track, drama ensued for Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
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As the two cars made it down the main straight, the lack of drama in the first two restarts made up for it after the third virtual safety car of the evening. Soon after the lights went green again, the two rivals had close racing as Verstappen went wide and regained his position ahead of Hamilton with a considerable lead. Thus, he was asked to give Hamilton the place back- in the lead.
LAP VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR (LAP 30/50)
Raikkonen collides with his former team mate Vettel, and the VSC is called to retrieve the debris#SaudiArabianGP 🇸🇦 #F1 pic.twitter.com/G4CusdZzFX
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 5, 2021
However, Hamilton didn’t see it that way. The reigning champion took to the airwaves to explain his move. “He just break-tested me!”
Although nothing too serious, what came after the incident was nothing short of a tension-filled championship race.
Gloves off for Lewis Hamilton & Max Verstappen
After the collision, there were headphones smashed on tables and hands atop heads; radio messages to the FIA, and even more angered messages between drivers and teams. However, with all the talking going around, Verstappen was unaware of his refreshed orders.
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The FIA told Mercedes a bit too late that Verstappen was to give Hamilton his position back. Further, Verstappen seemingly ignored it. While Hamilton made claims of dangerous driving on the Dutchman’s part, the RB16 cruised through the circuit with incredible speed.
LAP 38/50
MAX AND LEWIS COLLIDE!
Verstappen is instructed to give the place to Hamilton, but they make contact 😱#SaudiArabianGP 🇸🇦 #F1 pic.twitter.com/QnRaWoaYzP
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 5, 2021
Later, when Verstappen did slow down to let his rival by, the cheeky driver was quick to dive down the curve to regain his lead. The FIA then snatched Verstappen’s lead by throwing a five-second penalty on the driver. Just like that, the victory was out of the question.
Nonetheless, Hamilton claimed his place on top again, overtaking Verstappen, and the race continued. The way it looked from this point, the two will go to Abu Dhabi on equal points. With all to play for and all to lose, has this become the championship ending we’ve been waiting for?
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