Despite two red-flag stops, Lewis Hamilton won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position, ahead of Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas. As a result of the outcome, the two title contenders will enter the Abu Dhabi finale equal on points.
At the start, Hamilton led Bottas and Verstappen, who had recovered from his qualifying collision, but on Lap 10, Mick Schumacher skidded and collided with the Turn 23 barriers. The Safety Car quickly changed into a red flag, allowing Verstappen to make a free pit stop while the Mercedes was forced to stop under yellows.
Hamilton led after the Lap 15 standing start, but Verstappen drove wide and off-track at the first chicane, cutting back around Hamilton, who fell to third behind Alpine's Esteban Ocon (who also enjoyed a red flag tyre change and the subsequent advantage). Sergio Perez, on the other hand, was caught in two distinct occurrences.
The Red Bull and Mercedes pitwalls exchanged a cacophony of negotiating cries, but on the Lap 17 restart, Ocon would start ahead of Hamilton, with Verstappen in third. During that restart, Verstappen produced a fantastic drive down the inside of the first chicane for the lead, while Hamilton was hampered by Ocon, who, like Verstappen, missed the Turn 2 apex and passed the Alpine a lap later.
From Lap 28 to Lap 36, there were three Virtual Safety Car pauses, after which Hamilton was inside DRS range of Verstappen. On Lap 36, on the main straight, the Mercedes driver attempted a pass, but the Dutchman braked too late, driving wide at Turn 2 and holding the lead. He was told to hand up P1 and, on Lap 37, the Red Bull driver slowed - catching Hamilton off surprise.
On the Last lap Bottas Took an easy 3rd place in front of Alpine's Ocon.
The season finale takes place in Abu Dhabi, and with Hamilton taking 26 points to Verstappen's 18, the championship leaders are now tied on 369.5 points. However, the aftermath from Jeddah might go all night, with the stewards planning to probe Hamilton and Verstappen's scuffle at Turn 27 following the race.
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