Lewis Hamilton kept his hopes for an eighth Formula 1 record alive by winning the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix and leading the championship battle to the final race of the season.
British driver HamiltonThe 36-year-old can now compete in the championship points with his Red Bull rival Max Verstappen before the last Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi.
Hamilton is currently associated with German legend Michael sSchumacher for most world championships but a win next weekend could see him break the record and become the eight-time title holder.
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Verstappen shared the two Mercedes drivers and finished second behind Hamilton. Valtteri Bottas came third. Image: AP
Sunday’s race was full of action, with two red flags and a controversial collision between Verstappen and Hamilton on lap 37.
The pair go into the final race with 369.5 points each, with Verstappen leading with nine race wins ahead of Hamilton’s eight points and fighting for the next world champion.
This is the first time in 47 years that two championship contenders have reached the final with a tie.
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Hamilton follows Red Bull driver Verstappen. Image: AP
The battle between the Mercedes and Red Bull drivers was heated throughout the season.
During the Saudi race, a frustrated Hamilton was heard saying on his radio, “This guy is fucking crazy, man” when Verstappen slowed down and the Brit could run in his back.
When asked after the race if he feared that Verstappen’s driving might knock him out, he added: “I definitely have a feeling that there were scenarios where that was the case.”
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Hamilton claimed Verstappen drove like the rules didn’t apply to him after the couple collided. Image: AP
“This isn’t the first time I’ve had to avoid collisions and that’s how I felt at the moment, “said Hamilton.
“Sometimes you say things in the heat of the moment and go back and look at things again and maybe you feel different.
“It felt like this at the moment, but I’m just trying to reconsider myself, chase him down and keep fighting.”
Hamilton finished the race wearing a Progress Pride helmet.
The Mercedes driver has used his time in the kingdom to voice his concern about LGBT + laws as human rights organizations accused Saudi leaders of using the sport to distract from such abuses.
Hamilton said he felt “a duty” to speak up and called the criminalization of gay sex “pretty terrifying”.
“There are changes that need to be made. For example women’s right to drive [legally] This is how they will be monitored in 2018. Some of the women are still in jail for driving many, many years ago, “he said.
“So there are a lot of changes to be made and I think our sport has to do more.”
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Hamilton said he will wear his Progress Pride helmet for the last three races in Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi. Image: AP
The two are not known to hold back on the track, and in the event that both of them fail to finish the race, Verstappen would be awarded the championship as he has taken nine podiums compared to Hamilton’s eight.
The last race has now turned into a winner-takes-all showdown and is likely to be just as exciting as the rest of the season.
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