Lewis Hamilton wins feverish Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after Verstappen clash
Lewis Hamilton sits level on points with Max Verstappen in the Formula 1 drivers' standings after a feverish battle between the two championship rivals in Saudi Arabia.
Lewis Hamilton celebrates on the podium in Saudi Arabia. (LAT Images)
Hamilton survived a series of incidents between the two drivers to claim the victory at the chequered flag and valuable championship ground against Verstappen.
The clash between the two drivers came to a head when Verstappen slowed to apparently hand the lead of the race back to Hamilton, and Hamilton collided heavily with the rear of Verstappen's Red Bull.
"I've been racing a long time but that was incredibly tough," said Hamilton.
"I tried to be as sensible and as tough as I could be out there but also sensible with all my race experience over the years, just keeping the car on track and staying clean."
"It was difficult but we persevered as a team."
"We've had all sorts of things thrown at us in the second half of this season so I'm just really proud of everyone."
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen make contact during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. (Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)
Hamilton led teammate Valtteri Bottas and Verstappen at the start, but the race was suspended on lap ten when mick Schumacher spun out and collided with the barriers in turn 23.
The safety car window presented an opportunity for the frontrunners to pit for fresh tyres, but the race was then red-flagged to repair the barriers.
The Mercedes drivers had both stopped behind the safety car, gifting Verstappen the lead into the restart.
The race restarted with Hamilton and Verstappen battling into the first corner, with Verstappen running wide and cutting back onto the track in front of the Mercedes.
Alpine driver Esteban Ocon capitalised on the incident, taking second place behind Verstappen.
Max Verstappen runs wide into turn one after the first restart in Jeddah. (LAT Images)
The slowing field on the narrow track after the initial incident was a recipe for disaster, with Sergio Perez sent into the wall after contact with Charles Leclerc.
Nikita Mazepin arrived at the scene of the Perez incident completely unsighted, and collided with the rear of George Russell's Williams.
With the wreckage of three cars strewn across the track, the race was red-flagged once again.
Verstappen moved to third in the restart order to avoid a penalty for passing Hamilton off the track, so it was Ocon who lead the field away at the second restart.
Verstappen made his move immediately down the inside as Hamilton was sandwiched between the Red Bull and the Alpine, taking back the lead of the race.
Max Verstappen overtakes Esteban Ocon and Lewis Hamilton for the lead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix at the second restart. (Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)
The race was interrupted three more times by the virtual safety car as contact throughout the field littered the track with debris.
The championship battle burst into life on lap 36 when Hamilton attempted a move past Verstappen into turn one.
The Dutchman ran wide, keeping the lead of the race, and was instructed by the team to give the position back to Hamilton.
Verstappen slowed on the next lap to apparently allow Hamilton to pass, only for the Mercedes driver to collect the rear of his Red Bull.
A frantic dance then ensued for the remaining thirteen laps as teams negotiated through penalties, warnings, and calls to hand back the lead of the race.
Verstappen allowed the Mercedes past at the final corner on lap 42, but then immediately regained the position with a better racing line through the final corner and the advantage of DRS.
The Red Bull driver was handed a five-second penalty for his effort, while Hamilton repaid the favour on the following lap by forcing Verstappen wide into the final corner, earning a warning from race director Michael Masi for driving standards.
Hamilton held the lead as Verstappen struggled to maintain his tyre life, with the Briton crossing the line first with the bonus point for the fastest lap of the race.
"There was definitely a lot of action today, a lot of things happened," said Verstappen.
"I was told to give the position back, so I moved off the racing line and slowed down, Lewis just stayed behind me, I don’t understand why he didn’t pass."
"I don’t agree with the five-second penalty, but it is what it is and we’ll just move on."
"We didn’t have a perfect pace in the race today, so that’s something to work on looking ahead to Abu Dhabi."
"We’re on equal points now heading into the final race, it’s going to be an exciting end to the season."
Max Verstappen on the podium in Jeddah. (Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)
The battle puts both drivers equal on 369.5 points heading into the finale at Abu Dhabi, with Verstappen holding the advantage on countback by race victories.
Verstappen was awarded a ten-second penalty after the race for the incident which resulted in contact between the two drivers, but remained in second.
Valtteri Bottas finished third after edging out Esteban Ocon by mere metres at the finish line.
"It wasn't an easy day," said Bottas, "there were so many obstacles with the red flags and all the incidents, it made it a bit tricky."
"I just kept pushing, it was tough to overtake today but I finally got to P3 on the final straight - it was such a nice feeling to get the podium that way."
"Esteban drove great today, he was difficult to pass but I hung in there for an exciting finish."
"Good for team points today, and great that Lewis and Max are level on points, we have an incredible weekend ahead in Abu Dhabi!"
Aussie Daniel Ricciardo finished fifth to gain valuable points for McLaren after a series of disappointing results in the previous triple-header.
