Hamilton wins crazy Saudi GP to level with Verstappen

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Lewis Hamilton won a crazy, twice-halted Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last night to send the Formula One world championship into a winner-takes-all showdown with the Mercedes driver and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen level on points.

On a chaotic night of soaring emotions in Jeddah, the inaugural race in the Gulf kingdom took almost as many twists and turns as an already astonishing and enthralling rollercoaster season.

There were crashes, safety cars, red flags, claims of dirty driving after Hamilton hit the back of Verstappen’s suddenly slowing car, penalties, collisions and extraordinary exchanges between race director Michael Masi and the top two teams.

Seven-times world champion Hamilton took the bonus point for fastest lap to level with Verstappen on 369.5 points after 21 races.

The final round of the season is at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina next weekend.

Verstappen, who finished second with Valtteri Bottas third for Mercedes, leads 9-8 on wins, however -- meaning that the Dutch 24-year-old will be champion if neither score another point.

“I tried to be as tough as I could be out there but also sensible and with all my race experience over the years, just keeping the car on the track and staying clean,” said Hamilton after his 103rd career win.