Saudi Arabia GP – Hamilton winner after a race full of twists and turns

Jostled and abused for a long time by Max Verstappen, in a race as grotesque as it is full of events, Lewis Hamilton signed a very important success in view of the fight for the title against his rival who was satisfied with 2nd place. Thanks to this 7th victory of the season and the best lap in the race, the driver Mercedes came back level on points at one point only from the final whistle!

With a very good reaction when the lights went out, the Englishman managed to stay in the lead and was even helped by his teammate Valtteri Bottas who did not give in to Max Verstappen. The leading trio then embarked on a relatively calm start to the race where 1" separated each member until the start of the 5th lap of this Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and the first twist of the evening.

Left at fault and embedded in the protections, Mick Schumacher provoked the first intervention of the Safety Car. Moment chosen by Mercedes to stop its two men while Max Verstappen continued on the track. A daring bet on the part of Red Bull which quickly bore fruit.

As the drivers left the pit lane, the race management decided to wave the red flag on the 14th lap, which meant neutralization of the Grand Prix. A situation that suited the Dutchman who was offered the opportunity to change tires without making the slightest stop and losing his head. A boon ! 

New leader, Max Verstappen was surprised by Lewis Hamilton during the second standing start. Full of anger, the Batavian refused to give in to the Englishman and went beyond the limits of the track to stay in control while his rival fell back to 3rd place after having seen Esteban Ocon sneak into 2nd position.

In the excitement, many pilots touched each other and went off at fault, like the contact between Charles Leclerc and Sergio Pérez causing the Mexican to abandon or even the accident of Nikita mazepin who, surprised by the events before him, harpooned the Williams by George Russell. Without much delay, a new red flag was waved, stopping the race for the second time. It was then that the carpet merchants' game began.

In fury, Mercedes demanded a penalty against Max Verstappen. The FIA ​​then proposed to Red Bull to move its driver back to 3rd position just behind Lewis Hamilton and leave Esteban Ocon on pole. After several discussions and negotiations, the Austrians accepted the proposal for this third standing start in the evening.

Despite this drop on the grid, the Red Bull driver did not give up and took control again from the restart while Lewis Hamilton was fighting for 2nd place with Esteban Ocon. Quickly rid of the Habs (18th lap), the Briton launched an attack on his rival.

Patient for many laps in the exhausts of Max Verstappen, the Mercedes driver attempted a first attack at the start of the 37th lap but faced great resistance from the championship leader who forced the two men to short-circuit the chicane of the first braking. Warned, the race management opened an investigation while the organizers of the 2021 season continued their battle on the track.

Verstappen keeps the lead ahead of Hamilton after very late braking 😱#SaudiArabianGP (I.e. #F1

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— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) December 5, 2021

Aware of the rather aggressive action of his driver, Red Bull managers asked him to return the position to Lewis Hamilton. Resigned, the Dutchman complied but saw the Briton touch him at the rear before the last turn of the route. There then set in a feeling of total incomprehension where no one knew what to do. After numerous back and forths between the teams and the race direction, the Batavian let the Englishman pass who in turn gave up the position when attacking the 43rd loop.

OH THE CLASH BETWEEN LEWIS AND MAX! 💥

But what is this end of the GP? 😭#SaudiArabianGP (I.e. #F1

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— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) December 5, 2021

With the vagueness reigning on the Saudi cornice, Lewis Hamilton finally managed to get rid of Max Verstappen on the 43rd lap never to be caught again. In a climate that could not have been more tense, the seven-time world champion achieved an 8th this season and pocketed the point for the best lap in the race. A perfect operation which allows him to return to the level of his counterpart at a Grand Prix at the end. A first since 1974 and the duel between Clay Regazzoni and Emerson Fittipaldi at Watkins Glen (United States) won by the second city. Enough to keep us in suspense until the end.

Lewis Hamilton wins in a completely crazy race! 🏆

🇬🇧 The Englishman wins in front of Max Verstappen. The 2 drivers are tied on points before the last GP 🤜🤛#SaudiArabianGP (I.e. #F1

▶ https://t.co/7plkVVV12v pic.twitter.com/ihoIbU7fRt

— CANAL+ F1® (@CanalplusF1) December 5, 2021

Ocon at the foot of the podium

Very well placed after the events at the start of the race, Esteban Ocon did not go far from the podium. Powerless against Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on the restart, the driver Alpine then took advantage of the traffic jam formed by Daniel Ricciardo to set its own rhythm. Comfortably installed in 3rd position, the Norman has long seen the last step of the podium. But that was without counting on the comeback of Valtteri Bottas.

Blocked by Daniel Ricciardo and his McLaren for many laps, the Finn, finally freed from the Australian, showed character in the last part of the Grand Prix. Returning to contact with Esteban Ocon, Valtteri Bottas attempted an attack and even passed in front but the Frenchman did not make his task easy. After a long back and forth, the Blues representative finally lost on the start/finish line to fall only a tenth short of a third appearance on a podium in Formula 1.

Despite the regrets, Esteban Ocon can be satisfied with his Grand Prix since he brings 12 precious points to Alpine who seems to have secured 5th place ahead Alpha Tauri in the manufacturers ranking. Daniel Ricciardo completed the Top 5 just ahead of the other Frenchman on the grid, Pierre Gasly.

More information coming soon ...