HAM’S ROLL CONTINUES

Lewis takes it to the Max in title battle

THEY are in a class of their own and the battle could not be tighter.

Back-to-back victories for Lewis Hamilton means he heads into the final two races of the season just eight points behind Max Verstappen.

And to emphasise just how far ahead of the rest of the field the world title protagonists are, Hamilton was almost a minute ahead of thirdplaced man Fernando Alonso as he completed a lights-to-flag victory in Qatar. Verstappen was a mere thirty seconds up the road from the Spaniard, although the Red Bull star had enough time in the bank to complete one more pit stop than Hamilton.

Not that Alonso was too fussed, the 40-year had just clinched his first podium finish since the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2014.

The pack have been left trailing in Hamilton and Verstappen’s wake this season. Between them they have won 16 of the 20 races to set up a blockbuster finish.

Should Hamilton win in Saudi Arabia in two weeks and set the fastest lap, and if Verstappen finishes second, they will head to Abu Dhabi level on points.

That Hamilton is still in the picture is thanks to his stunning performance in Brazil last Sunday, the Mercedes man coming from 10th on the grid to take the win.

He picked up from where he left off by posting a stunning time in qualifying to take pole position in Qatar.

But Verstappen is proving to be just as dogged in his pursuit of a maiden drivers’ championship as Hamilton is in his bid for a record-breaking eighth crown.

The Dutchman was hit with a five-place grid penalty for failing to slow sufficiently under double yellow flags at the end of Saturday’s qualifying session.

But it was a case of anything you can do, as Verstappen went from seventh on the grid to fourth by the end of the first lap at the Losail International Circuit.

Alphatauri’s Pierre Gasly was soon dealt with as Verstappen moved up to the podium places on lap four, before Alonso’s Alpine was passed with equal ease.

The first wave of pit stops for the front two did nothing to alter the order at the front, Mercedes reacting to Red Bull blinking first.

A virtual safety car in the closing stages saw Verstappen pit for a third time and improve his fastest lap time to ensure an impressive piece of damage limitation ahead of the first-ever Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

But he was never going to trouble Hamilton in this form. “It was pretty straightforward,” said the British driver of his victory.

Two races to go and it’s close to call. too