Stage set in Portugal for Lewis vs Max Act III

Portimao (Portugal), April 29: The third instalment of what is shaping up to be one of Formula One’s finest title duels in years moves to Portugal’s sun-blessed Algarve this weekend with Lewis Hamilton leading Max Verstappen by a single point.

That the seven-time champion tops the nascent drivers’ standings is for once a surprise with Red Bull enjoying a rare speed superiority over the Mercedes.

But a Verstappen error contributed to Hamilton’s opening win in Bahrain and a timely safety car intervention played kindly into Hamilton’s hands after an uncharacteristic mistake at Imola.

A probable pointless finish after planting his car in a gravel pit was almost magically transformed into second behind the Dutch driver, with a fastest lap giving him the slimmest of leads.

For Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff, Red Bull were guilty of failing to exploit their cars’ evident speed advantage.

“To come away leading both championships almost felt like a get out of jail free card, because our rivals didn’t maximise the opportunity we gave them,” he told the German team’s website.

“And it just proves what a challenging season we have ahead of us and how quickly things can turn around in Formula One.”

The Algarve International Circuit holds a special place in Hamilton’s heart as it was here six months ago that he notched up his 92nd Grand Prix win to surpass Michael Schumacher as the most successful F1 driver of all time.

And the Portimao track can play a part in another personal milestone. If Hamilton heads the timesheets after Saturday’s qualifying it will be his 100th pole.

History beckons for

Verstappen too — with victory lifting him into the championship lead for the first time in his career.

Last time out’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was a chaotic classic which saw Lando Norris toasting a sparkling third for McLaren but left Valtteri Bottas feeling bitter after a crash with the Williams of George Russell led to an angry exchange between the pair.

Another leaving frustrated Verstappen’s new Sergio Perez.

● For Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff, Red Bull were guilty of failing to exploit their cars’ evident speed advantage.