MOTORSPORT: Saudi drama sparks F1 showdown

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are level-pegging on points with one race to run in the 2021 Formula 1 world championship following a chaotic and controversial Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

There was more on-track drama at the new high-speed Saudi circuit, with Verstappen running Hamilton off the road and then Hamilton whacking the back of Verstappen’s car.

Their latest on-track battle was taken to the stewards after the race but a win for Hamilton and a bonus point for fastest lap, with Verstappen in second despite a five-second penalty, means the 2021 title will be decided next week in Abu Dhabi.

It’s shaping as a winner-take-all contest, although Verstappen holds a tiny edge because he has scored more wins through the year.

Valtteri Bottas continued his strong run as the wing man at Mercedes-AMG with third place in Saudi, while Daniel Riccardo’s improving form at McLaren resulted in fifth place with his teammate Lando Norris in 10th.

After his win, Hamilton continued his attack on Verstappen and the young Red Bull driver’s aggressive tactics throughout season 2021.

“He is over the limit for sure. I’ve avoided collisions on so many occasions,” said the seven-times world champion.

“I’ve raced a lot of drivers. I’ve come across a lot of different characters. There are a few at the top, over the limit.

“For me, I really had to try and just keep my cool …  which was very difficult to do.”

For Verstappen, it’s all about the next race and not a replay of Saudi.

“I personally am chilled. I’m in the boxing ring. I’m ready,” he said.

“All season we have been up and down. It’s going to be exciting and I hope, of course, that we could have a good weekend there.”

The drama in Saudi included a pair of safety car restarts and four virtual safety car periods, with five cars failing to finish.

For Mercedes-AMG team boss, Toto Wolff, the action was a continuation of the toxic battle between Benz and the Bulls this year, and is unlikely to end soon.

“I don’t want to now have dirty laundry here. The race was spectacular but not a good result,” Wolff said.

“I don’t think this is yet done. The result at the end, winning the race, I think he [Hamilton] deserved it.”

Beyond Formula 1, mercurial young Aussie Daniel Piastri won the Formula 2 feature race in Saudi, but only scored half points because it was stopped early after a crash.

It was his fifth win of the season and gives him a huge 51.5-point advantage heading to the F2 finale in Abu Dhabi before he graduates to the reserve driver slot at Alpine in 2022.

“We won the race, if you want to call it a race. The points are nice and I am glad that everybody is going to be okay, from the crash,” said Piastri

2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix results:

2021 Formula 1 driver standings: