JEDDAH MASTER
Lewis forces his way past Max but fears rival’s dark side in decider
LEWIS HAMILTON accused title rival Max Verstappen of driving “over the limit” after winning a chaotic Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to set up a winner-takes-all championship finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend.
The contenders are level on points after Hamilton won one of the craziest races – including red flags, multiple crashes and a bizarre collision amid heated tension – in the sport’s history.
Verstappen was later summoned to the race stewards over the incident that saw Hamilton crash into the back of the Red Bull in one of the major flashpoints in the most controversial chapter of the epic championship battle so far.
But the angry recriminations continued after the warring pair clashed on and off the track with Hamilton blasting Verstappen by saying he doesn’t believe the rules apply to him.
Hamilton, bidding for a record eighth title, branded Verstappen “dangerous” and “crazy” during the race and later said: “He’s over the limit. I’ve avoided collisions on so many occasions with this guy and I don’t mind doing that as you live to survive another day.
“He hit the breaks so hard and almost took us both out. For him, it does not matter if we both don’t finish but for me we both need to finish.
“I’ve been racing for 28 years and come across a lot of different characters. There are a few of them that are over the limit, rules do not apply or they don’t think of the rules.
“I try and keep it on the track, do it the right way.”
Emerson Fittipaldi and Clay Regazzoni, back in 1974, was the last time two drivers were tied on points going into the final race.
Hamilton added: “I’m personally chilled. I feel like I’m in the boxing ring and I’m ready to go.”
The race was stopped twice, featured three starts and a wild series of events between the contenders.
But it will be their incident on lap 37 which will be the focus as it was the THIRD time the pair have come together.
Despite the nature of Verstappen’s conduct again being questioned, which saw him twice having to concede an illegally gained position to Hamilton, the Dutchman said: “A lot of things happened, which I don’t fully agree with but it is what it is. I’m just trying to race.” Tempers were rising early on with Mercedes unhappy with a red flag after Mick Schumacher’s crash which benefitted Verstappen, as he was able to change his tyres without losing any time while the Silver Arrows had already pitted both Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. The resulting restart saw Verstappen overtake illegally and he was forced to cede position back after another red flag, before the Dutchman overtook again – this time within the rules – as the race got under way for the third time.
But the biggest moment came with 12 laps to go. Verstappen was again told to let his rival past – but instead of a routine change-over, what we got was another collision between them.
Verstappen slowed down but Hamilton also eased off and, when he did try to dart down the left, his front wing made contact with the back of the Red Bull, with both drivers sounding perplexed about what had happened over team radio.
Hamilton survived that wing damage to win the race as Verstappen was let down by his ailing tyres in the final few laps, though he did manage second ahead of Bottas who pipped Esteban Ocon to third.
The combination of having to let Hamilton through, the collision, a five-second penalty he was slapped with for overtaking off the track and the result had Verstappen fuming.
And he made his feelings clear as he stormed off the podium.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said: “That was spectacular but not good racing. It is hard over the line. We want to have a clean championship and the best man wins.”