WE’RE at the business end of the Formula One season as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen vye for the title. The pair go at it again in Saudi Arabia this weekend, before finishing up the season in Abu Dhabi next week – and both should be absolute crackers.
Qualifying start time: 5pm GMT
TV/Live stream: Sky Sports F1
Follow all the action with SunSport’s live blog below…
STATE OF PLAY
Max Verstappen ends FP3 top!
FP3 IS UNDERWAY
Practice is underway in Saudi Arabia and Lewis Hamilton locked up at turn one.
A yellow flag is up, but the Brit is back on the track.
Kimi Raikkonen tops the speed trap.
PUSH IT TO THE MAX
Max Verstappen says his Red Bull team will be doing everything they can overnight to get ‘more pace’ out of the car.
He said: “Overall, it’s a really cool track, there are a lot of fast corners and it’s fun to drive.
“We struggled to get heat into the tyres in FP2, which we will of course look into.
“Then we made a few changes from FP1 to FP2 which didn’t quite work but hopefully we can find the right balance come qualifying tomorrow. There are of course a lot of things to work on and improve so we’ll see what we can do to get more pace out of the car overnight.
“Looking ahead to qualifying, I think it might be quite difficult with the traffic but in general it’s hard to tell how Saturday is going to go as anything can happen but we’ll push hard and give it everything.”
GO TIME
Qualifying gets underway at 5PM UK time!
‘INCREDIBLY FAST’
Lewis Hamilton says the Saudi track is ‘incredibly fast’.
He said: “[Jeddah is] unbelievably quick. It really is incredibly fast.
“And a lot of grip as well. But if you can get the rhythm, it’s beautiful to drive.
“What I noticed straight away is that the grip is very, very high, from the moment we went out – I don’t know if we were much quicker or not in this session [FP2].
“I think we were very much the same; our long run pace was similar.”
HEAT IS ON
Formula One is set for a thrilling climax to an unforgettable season as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen battle it out for glory, writes BEN HUNT.
Verstappen currently leads the championship by eight points and can clinch the title – his first – should he outscore Hamilton by 18 points on Sunday at the Saudi Arabian GP.
The Middle Eastern country is hosting its inaugural race in Jeddah on a rapidly-constructed 6km circuit that promises to be one of the fastest on the calendar.
In fact, it is so new, building work is still going on as they try to get as much completed in time for Sunday’s showdown.
But not only is this track quick, despite having nearly 30 corners, it is also a street circuit – like Monaco and Singapore.
And that means it could also spell double-jeopardy for F1’s title contenders, as a high-speed dirty track bordered by concrete crash barriers all make things rather tricky.
HAMILTON SLAMS LGBTQ+ LAWS
Lewis Hamilton has said he doesn’t feel comfortable racing at Saudi Arabia’s GP due to concerns about human rights in the kingdom.
The seven-time F1 world champion says he felt ‘duty-bound’ to speak out.
Hamilton said: “Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn’t say that I do.
“But it’s not my choice to be here. The sport has taken the choice to be here.
“There’s changes that need to be made. For example women’s rights of being able to drive [legally] in 2018, it’s how they are policed. Some of the women are still in prison from driving many, many years ago.
“So there’s a lot of changes that need to happen and I think our sport needs to do more.”
‘THIS PLACE WILL BITE’
There are some concerns over the track after Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ploughed into the barriers at 160mph.
Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle said: “This place will bite. In a way this is brilliant towards the end of the season but if I was Red Bull and Mercedes I would be thinking ‘I don’t need the extra jeopardy of this place right now’.
“These guys live off data. They thrive on it and they hate uncertainty.
“They want to turn up here, having done 1000 laps on the sim, with the right set-up and the right strategy.
“But we want all the jeopardy and the surprise and I think that is what has made it such a great year – we’ve had that jeopardy this season.”
QUALIFYING DAY
Charles Leclerc had a lucky escape yesterday when his Ferrari ploughed into the barriers at 160mph at turn 22 – already earmarked as the most treacherous place.
The Frenchman climbed from the wreckage of his write-off car unscathed.
But the accident raised more safety concerns about this hastily constructed track.
WILL IT BE EIGHT?
Lewis Hamilton is on the title charge and has the wind in his sails.
But will he turn the season around in the final two races to secure a record breaking eighth F1 championship?
MORNING, F1 FANS
Lew couldn’t make it up as the title race hots up.
Britain’s seven-time world champ Lewis Hamilton topped both Saudi Arabian GP practice sessions yesterday as he eyes the victory needed to set up a thrilling last-race decider.
The Mercedes ace trails Red Bull’s Championship leader Max Verstappen by eight points.
Hamilton would move level with the Dutchman if he wins tomorrow, plus earns a bonus point for the fastest lap and Verstappen finishes second.
But first Hamilton has to conquer Jeddah’s terrifying high-speed street circuit – quickly put together for the country’s first-ever F1 GP.
Amazingly, there were no test events despite average speeds of 155mph, top pace of more than 200mph and thick concrete barriers all the way around.
In fact, Charles Leclerc had a lucky escape when his Ferrari ploughed into the barriers at 160mph at turn 22 – already earmarked as the most treacherous place.
The Frenchman climbed from the wreckage of his write-off car unscathed.
But the accident raised more safety concerns about this hastily constructed track.
Sky F1 pundit Martin Brundle said: “This place will bite. In a way this is brilliant towards the end of the season but if I was Red Bull and Mercedes I would be thinking ‘I don’t need the extra jeopardy of this place right now’.
“These guys live off data. They thrive on it and they hate uncertainty.
“They want to turn up here, having done 1000 laps on the sim, with the right set-up and the right strategy.
“But we want all the jeopardy and the surprise and I think that is what has made it such a great year – we’ve had that jeopardy this season.”
KENDRA SPARKS BEN RUMOURS
Model Camila Kendra appears to be in the lap of luxury after moving on from F1 ace Lewis Hamilton — and putting Chelsea star Ben Chilwell in pole position.
Camila, 27, shared snaps from plush surroundings, and eagle-eyed fans recognised them as the England full-back’s home.
Camila Kendra looks sizzlingly hot as she takes a dip in the ocean
Chilwell, 24, has also been quick to like her pics. One pal said: “Ben thinks they get on swimmingly.”
Camilo was also seen at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground after their 4-0 demolition of Juventus in the Champions League last month.
The Sun told earlier this year how Camila posted a photo from the home of race ace Hamilton, 36, and was seen in some of his clothes.
Camila – born in the Dominican Republic – recently split up with Tyler Cameron, from US reality show The Bachelor, after eight months.
The Sun has approached Chilwell for a comment.
BRUNDLE PREDICTS ALMIGHTY RUMBLE
Martin Brundle is predicting a thrilling finale to the F1 title race.
The Sky F1 pundit said: “This place will bite. In a way this is brilliant towards the end of the season but if I was Red Bull and Mercedes I would be thinking ‘I don’t need the extra jeopardy of this place right now’.
“These guys live off data. They thrive on it and they hate uncertainty. They want to turn up here, having done 1000 laps on the sim, with the right set-up and the right strategy.
“But we want all the jeopardy and the surprise and I think that is what has made it such a great year – we’ve had that jeopardy this season.”
And of hamilton’s title chances, he added: “A good football analogy is you’d rather have the points than the games in hand.
“If Lewis carries on at that rate of knots and if Valtteri Bottas can get involved and have one of his on-form days, then who knows?
“We’ve seen some good wheel-to-wheel action. We’ve seen some shooting from the hip and shooting from the lip from the team bosses.
“We’ve had it all. The high drama, the massive accidents, Max parked on Lewis’ head at Monza. It’s had everything; the brilliant moments, the scary moments, but it has to end somewhere.”
LEWIS ‘NOT COMFORTABLE’ IN SAUDI ARABIA
Lewis Hamilton admits he is in uncomfortable racing in Saudi Arabia but promised to try to ‘raise awareness’ of human rights concerns.
Britain’s world champion needs victory and ideally a poor performance from title leader Max Verstappen to leave him well placed for an eighth crown.
And Hamilton said: “Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn’t say I do.
“But it’s not my choice to be here. The sport has taken a choice to be here.
“And whether it’s right or wrong, while we are here, it’s important we do try to raise awareness.”
Credit: AFP
LECLERC’S AMAZING ESCAPE
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc miraculously walked away from a 150mph crash as Lewis Hamilton finished second practice fastest at the Saudi Arabian GP.
Leclerc lost control at the notorious Turn 22 on the new Jeddah street circuit.
The crash badly smashed Leclerc’s car and ended the session five minutes early.
Hamilton beat fourth-placed title-rival Max Verstappen by 0.195 seconds.
Credit: EPA
Credit: EPA
SCORCHING GAS
Alpha Tauri are clearly delighted with Frenchman Pierre Gasly’s showing in second practice…
WOLFF’S STATEMENT ON KINGSPAN DEAL
Toto Wolff responded to anger over Mercedes agreeing a deal with the heavily-criticised Kingspan company with an open letter.
It read: “The tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire was beyond imaginable to me, and it should never have happened.
“On behalf of our team, I would sincerely like to apologise to you for the additional hurt that this announcement has caused. It was never our intention to do so.
“The work of the public inquiry to establish the full causes of the tragedy is crucially important. Prior to concluding our partnership, we engaged with Kingspan in depth to understand what role their products played in what happened at Grenfell.
“Kingspan have stated that they played no role in the design or construction of the cladding system on Grenfell Tower, and that a small percentage of their product was used as a substitute without their knowledge in part of the system which was not compliant with building regulations and was unsafe.
“I know that this does not change in any way the awful tragedy you suffered, or the deep and ongoing pain felt in your community, and I would like to thank Grenfell United for the offer to meet in person for me to learn and understand better.
“I look forward to coming together as soon as we can.”
TOTO OFFRS TO MEET GRENFELL FAMILIES
Toto Wolff has offered to meet the survivors and bereaved families of the Grenfell tragedy after a backlash over a sponsorship deal with Kingspan, writes BEN HUNT.
Merc confirmed a partnership with the insulation and building firm ahead of this weekend’s Saudi Arabian GP.
However, there was heavy criticism from survivors and those families impacted by the fire in the tower block in 2017, which killed 72 people.
The Grenfell United group sought to speak to Merc while Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, also said he would write to the Brackley-based F1 team.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE TITLE RACE
Lewis Hamilton heading big rival Max Verstappen in first practice at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix is the first step towards a victory that Britain’s world champ surely needs to stay in the title pursuit.
If Red Bull’s Verstappen beats Hamilton on Sunday, the Mercedes star would need the Dutchman to have a disastrous final GP at Abu Dhabi.
In contrast, should Verstappen finish second behind Hamilton this weekend then the title fight will be neck and neck.
FULL CLASSIFICATION
Here are the results in full.
Feast your eyes over these!
P1 RESULTS
Here’s your full top ten times from P1.
Hamilton 1:29.786
Verstappen 1:29.842
Bottas 1:30.009
Gasly 1:30.263
Giovinazzi 1:30.318
Sainz 1:30.564
Leclerc 1:30.600
Ricciardo 1:30.608
Alonso 1:30.842
Vettel 1:30.886
P1 FINISHED
That’s it from P1, we’ll have full results to come.
CHEQUERED FLAG
That’s it from P1!
In their first drive around the new Jeddah track, it’s Lewis Hamilton that posted the quickest time.
Team-mate Valtteri Bottas was third, while early pace-setter Max Verstappen was between the two in second.
FINAL FIVE
We’re into the final five minutes of P1.
And it remains a familiar looking top three, with Lewis Hamilton ahead of Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas – and Max Verstappen in third.
TOTO-LLY BRILLIANT
Toto Wolff’s smiling.
And no wonder, as it’s currently a Mercedes one-two at the top of the leaderboard – ahead of Max Verstappen.
Hamilton 1:29.786
Bottas 1:30.009
Verstappen 1:30.014
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