Lewis Hamilton wins thrilling Saudi Arabian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen collision



Lewis Hamilton beat Max Verstappen in a chaotic and controversial Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to set up a winner-takes-all championship finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend.

The race was stopped twice, featured three starts and had an extraordinary series of events between the title contender.

At one point during the race, Verstappen had to cede a position to the Mercedes driver that he had gained illegally, as Hamilton crashed into the back of him.

Heading into the last race of the season, the two drivers were tied on points.

The advantage swung back and forth between Hamilton and Verstappen as the race went on.

Verstappen was told to give the lead to Hamilton because he forced Hamilton off the track at Turn One.

It didn't happen immediately. After Red Bull were told to hand the lead to Hamilton, Verstappen slowed to do so on the run to the last corner and the Briton ran into the back of him and damaged his front wing.

They continued with Verstappen in the lead until he handed over the lead six laps later.

The nature of Verstappen's conduct will reignite debate about whether it is fair for him to drive the way he does, even when other drivers would recognize his rival had won the corner.

The action began with Mick Schumacher's heavy shunt.

What happened in one of the greatest races of all time?

The chaos began when Mick Schumacher crashed his car.

Mercedes put their drivers on the safety car because Hamilton was leading from Valtteri and Verstappen.

Verstappen was in the lead after Red Bull stayed out. The race was stopped to fix the barriers.

The rules allow drivers to change their tires during a red flag period.

Hamilton was quicker than Verstappen at the restart and was in the first corner.

Verstappen went off the track through the right-hand part of the left-right chicane, forcing Hamilton wide, and then Ocon's Alpine dived between them to take second place.

The race was stopped because of two crashes, one in which Nikita Mazepin rear-ended George Russell's Williams, and the other in which Red Bull's Sergio Perez crashed after colliding with Charles Leclerc.

The Red Bull and race director Michael Masi were involved in a negotiation over which position Verstappen should be in at the re-start.

Verstappen threw his Red Bull down the inside as Hamilton tried to pass Ocon at the first corner and took the lead.

At the next lap, Hamilton passed Ocon and went after Verstappen.

Verstappen's over take after the second restart was the best.

The key part of the race soon unfolded as it became obvious that Hamilton had extra pace.

The 36-year-old went for the outside of Verstappen into the first corner and was marginally ahead as they turned in.

Both went off the track when Verstappen refused to cede and it was reminiscent of their incident in Brazil two races ago.

Hamilton slowed behind Masi as he told Red Bull Verstappen to hand the position back. Hamilton damaged his front wing when he ran into the back of the Red Bull.

Verstappen said he didn't understand why Hamilton didn't go by, while Hamilton said he didn't know why Verstappen hit the brakes.

The incident will be investigated by the stewards.

The race was settled six laps later when Verstappen let Hamilton by into the last corner.

Hamilton has to beat Verstappen to win an eighth world title as he goes into the final race as the championship leader.

On the run to the final corner, Bottas took third from Ocon. Pierre Gasly and the Alpha Tauri's of Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jnr were the drivers who benefited from not stopping under the first safety car.

The driver of the day.

The fans gave it to Verstappen. The legal move to take the lead at the final restart was extraordinary. The rules at others are totally uncompromising and unfair. What happened in their collision? No one else is being considered. The writer will have to take five.

What they said.

Lewis Hamilton said that it was difficult to win the race. I tried to be as sensible and tough as I could be, and with all my experience just keeping the car on the track stayed clean.

It was difficult. We had a lot of things thrown at us and I'm proud of everyone.

It was hard to overtake Red Bull, we've done an amazing job. Valtteri did a great job for the team and this is for the guys and girls back in the factory.

It has been a great event. People have been lovely here and I felt very welcome. The track is very difficult to navigate and you would not want it any other way.

I ran into the back of Verstappen because I didn't understand why he hit the brakes so hard. It was a bit confusing.

Max Verstappen, who finished second, said that it was quite interesting. I don't agree with a lot of the things that happened, but it is what it is.

I tried to give it my all, but I don't think the tires lasted. Still second, I was lacking a bit of rubber at the end.

I slowed down, I was on the right, but he didn't want to overtake and we touched. I don't understand what happened there.

Hopefully, we have a good weekend.

What will happen next?

The most dramatic season in F1 history ends in Abu Dhabi on a revised track. Who would be able to predict the outcome after this?

Click here to vote if you are viewing the page on the app.

The Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was the first of its kind.

The sport paid tribute to Frank Williams.

The night race is held in the port city of Jeddah.