Lewis Hamilton Aims To Be ‘Purest’ F1 Driver
Follow all the latest news and updates from the world of Formula 1 as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen take their title fight to Jeddah for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix this weekend. Verstappen is eight points clear of his title rival, while Mercedes are just five points ahead of Red Bull in the constructors’ standings heading into the final two races of the season, with Abu Dhabi to come on the final weekend.
The long straights of the Jeddah Corniche Circuit are expected to favour Mercedes and they will be trying to plot a one-two finish. But if Hamilton was to win and collect the bonus point for fastest lap, with Verstappen finishing second, it would create the extraordinary scenario of both drivers having 269.5 points going into the final Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.
Wolff and his Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner have been involved in back-and-forth encounters too, drawing amusement from some and disdain from others, as the fight goes on for the constructor championship as well as the drivers’ title. Elsewhere outside the big two, Fernando Alonso’s podium finish, the changing team line-ups for next year and even the additions of rules such as sprint qualifying have all been big talking points in Formula One recently.
Here’s all the latest F1 news and reaction as the build-up to Saudi Arabia continues:
F1 news: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
This weekend’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix will suit Lewis Hamilton more than Max Verstappen, according to Red Bull chief Christian Horner.
Dutchman Verstappen leads seven-time champion Hamilton by eight points heading into the final two races of the 2021 season.
But the Brit has reduced the gap in recent weeks after back-to-back victories in Brazil and Qatar.
And with the Saudi Arabian GP set to benefit cars built for faster circuits – such as Mercedes – Horner feels it is a track Hamilton will be confident of winning.
Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2021 13:15
Damon Hill remembers Sir Frank Williams: “I was in awe of Sir Frank. There will be so many people who were touched by his organisation, his determination to succeed and his love of motor racing.”
Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2021 12:55
Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2021 12:38
F1 news: No fear from Red Bull
Hamilton used a new engine system and showed prolific speed in Brazil, where he produced a stunning performance to take victory from tenth on the grid.
The Briton switched back to an older engine in Qatar without consequence, as Hamilton won again to narrow Verstappen’s lead in the championship to just eight points.
Mercedes will reinstall the new system ahead of next week’s inaugural race in Saudi Arabia, but Marko is adamant the FIA’s introduction of new rear-wing tests will limit Hamilton’s advantage.
Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2021 12:21
F1 news
Only a few days until the grand prix begins, but Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon were in Paris last night to hand out some trophies:
Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2021 12:03
F1 news: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Saudi Arabia’s inaugural F1 grand prix this weekend is set for the streets of Jeddah, on the Red Sea coast. The track is the second longest on the Formula One calendar and will be the fifth night race of the season. It looks like it’s coming together nicely for a blockbuster weekend of racing.
Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2021 11:39
F1 news
“Those who have exceeded a certain number of engines per year should be sent to the back of the grid,” Alonso told Spanish outlet AS.
Hamilton won the Brazilian race in November to close the gap on title rival Verstappen, who wasn’t happy about the engine used. He said: “In theory Mercedes can put in a new combustion engine every Grand Prix, take five places penalty and benefit from the power boost.”
Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2021 11:21
F1 news: Verstappen mocks Hamilton
Max Verstappen has sarcastically mocked Lewis Hamilton over the FIA fines both drivers received following the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver was fined a hefty £42,000 (€50,000) for touching his title rival’s rear wing during a controversial qualifying session in Sao Paulo, which then saw the Mercedes star receive a five-place engine penalty.
Hamilton battled back from 10th on the grid to snatch a stunning win, with his celebration including a Brazilian flag, which landed him with a breach of the International Sporting Code rule concerning seat belts, leading to FIA action.
The Briton was fined £3,700 (€5,000) plus a £14,900 (€20,000) suspended fine through 2022. The total was noticeably lower than Verstappen’s.
And ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Verstappen joked he’ll consider driving without a safety belt in future as it comes with a cheaper fine.
He told DAZN: “I’m not allowed to touch a rear wing anymore, that’s for sure. If you do, you have to pay a big fine, but apparently it’s cheaper to drive without the belts. So I’ll think about it.”
Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2021 11:08
F1 news: Constructors standings
- Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport 546.5 (10 wins)
- Red Bull Racing 541.5 (10)
- Scuderia Ferrari 297.5 (0)
- McLaren F1 Team 258 (0)
- Alpine F1 Team 137 (1)
- Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda 112 (0)
- Aston Martin Cognizant Formula One Team 77 (0)
- Williams Racing 23 (0)
- Alfa Romeo Racing 11 (0)
- Haas F1 Team 0 (0)
Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2021 11:01
F1 news: Driver standings top 10
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 351.5 (9 wins)
- Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport 343.53 (7)
- Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport 203 (2)
- Sergio Perez, Red Bull Racing 190 (1 )
- Lando Norris, McLaren F1 Team 153 (0)
- Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari 152 (0)
- Carlos Sainz, Scuderia Ferrari 145.5 (0)
- Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren F1 Team105 (1)
- Pierre Gasly, Scuderia AlphaTauri Honda 92 (0)
- Fernando Alonso, Alpine F1 Team 77 (0)
Lawrence Ostlere30 November 2021 10:44