As Formula One’s spectacular championship race moves into the title-deciding finale, Lewis Hamilton overtook Max Verstappen with six laps to go Sunday to win the wild first Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and draw level on points with his opponent.
Three standing starts, a pair of restarts, several safety cars, and a fierce back-and-forth between the championship contenders marred the race on the street track under the lights on the 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) coastal resort area in Jeddah.
With six laps to left, Red Bull was permitted to negotiate a penalty for Verstappen, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff smashed his earpiece in frustration, and Hamilton raced into the back of his championship challenger before passing Verstappen for the win.
“Lewis, that has got to be the craziest race I can remember,” Hamilton’s engineer radioed after he crossed the finish line.
“Great job, guys, great job!” Hamilton replied. “That’s more like it, let’s keep pushing!”
The championship will be determined in the Abu Dhabi finale next Sunday.
Hamilton is the four-time defending Formula One champion and is attempting to beat Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of eight titles. Verstappen, 24, is chasing his first title and had controlled the season for Red Bull until Mercedes and Hamilton made a late three-race assault.