The first ever Saudi Arabia GP on a fast and challenging track in Jeddah kept all F1 fans on track. The eagerly anticipated penultimate race was interrupted twice, with several virtual safety cars and five cars being canceled. Lewis Hamilton ruled sovereign in the end and this victory brought him level on points with Max Verstappen.
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Apart from the constant back and forth between the two title rivals, the race had many highlights to offer. Former Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas had a good weekend in Jeddah and ended up on the last podium. It took the British star a moment after the race, however, to grasp the insane turn of events.
Bottas looked to teammate Lewis Hamilton after a tough day. Although he took the checkered flag home at all, it was an exhausting experience for the Briton. Hamilton won this race with a broken front wing after allegedly being tested for breakage by his Red Bull colleague.
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Formula 1 F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – December 5, 2021 Red Bulls Max Verstappen in action with Mercedes Lewis Hamilton during the REUTERS / Ahmed Yosri race
Bottas checks out Lewis Hamilton
The reigning world champion received a tough title fight from the young Red Bull star. During this championship the pressure on the two front runners grew. With more and more at stake, these events certainly put a strain on the drivers’ mental wellbeing.
When Hamilton returned to the garage after the race, he recovered with physical therapist Angela Cullen by his side. Hamilton looked extremely tired and was breathing with his hands in front of his face. Bottas seemed to be worried about his health and was heard saying: “Is he okay?”
Hamilton himself said after the race that it was an incredibly tough experience for him. It is noteworthy that the Briton eventually took the lead of the race on lap 43/50 and had to finish the race with a broken front wing.
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“I’ve been racing for a long time, but that was incredibly tough – I tried to be as sensible and tough as possible, but also sensible with all my racing experience over the years, just to keep the car on track and stay clean”, said Lewis Hamilton.
“It was difficult, but we held out as a team. We were faced with all kinds of things in the second half of this season so I’m really proud of them all, ”he added.
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The result in Jeddah made the 2021 F1 title fight one of the most interesting of recent times. Even if Max Verstappen won the title in the next, Lewis Hamilton’s drive was certainly one for the ages.
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