Jeddah, Dec. 6 (BNA): The dust from the Saudi Grand Prix should settle quickly over the next few days as Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Max Verstappen and Red Bull need to prepare for Sunday’s title final season. in Abu Dhabi.
This is the 30th occasion the title has been decided in the last race, but only the second time two drivers have tied before the finish – the other occasion was in 1974 when McLaren’s Emerson Fittipaldi won the title over Ferrari’s Clay Rigazzoni.
Mercedes’ Hamilton will compete for a record eighth title, one title behind Michael Schumacher, at the Abu Dhabi circuit where he has won five times in the past.
Red Bull’s Verstappen is seeking to win the first title of his career at the Yas Marina circuit as he first came 12 months ago, when Hamilton had already claimed his seventh title, according to the German news agency (dpa).
If both remain tied on points, Verstappen will be crowned champion as he has one more win than Hamilton, 9-8. Such a scenario could happen if both collide – which neither side wants.
“We want to win it on the track, not in the hosts’ room, not in the gravel trap … I hope it will be a fair and clean race in Abu Dhabi,” said Red Bull boss Christian Horner.
But after losing the world title by one point to Kimi Raikkonen in his inaugural 2007 season and winning it by one point a year later on the last lap in Brazil, Hamilton said he is ready for the big finish.
Hamilton wiped out his deficit by winning the last three races ahead of Verstappen, who for his part insisted he only slowed down to let Hamilton pass after being asked to.
Looking ahead, Verstappen said the Grand Final is “really exciting for the entire championship and Formula 1 in general.” We hope to have a good weekend, so let’s see.”
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