British rider occupies second place in the general classification and is separated by 14 points from the Dutch, leader since September.
After his spectacular victory in Brazil, Lewis Hamilton seeks to repeat this weekend in Qatar, a circuit that Formula 1 visits for the first time, to continue putting pressure on Max Verstappen, leader before the last three races of the year.
One year before the World Cup, Qatar welcomes the great F1 circus for the first time in its history. Verstappen has 14 points over Hamilton, in a close battle fought by leaders Red Bull and Mercedes.
The Dutchman, who is seeking his first world title at age 23, will not be able to achieve it mathematically in Qatar. Leader since the race in Turkey at the end of September, he does not have them all with him against a Hamilton in comeback.
Last week in São Paulo the Briton showed chevrons to achieve an unexpected victory, despite the various penalties he suffered. Reasons to believe in his eighth world title, the great record.
“Lewis has achieved a spectacular victory, which will remain in the memory for years,” said the head of Mercedes Toto Wolff, calling it “triumph over adversity.”
Diplomacy is over
“Proud of combativeness”Of his team, Wolff made it clear that after the Brazilian GP“diplomacy is over”.
What caused these words was the situation in the 48th lap last Sunday. Attacked by the British from the outside, Verstappen defended aggressively and took his adversary – and himself – off the track for a few moments.
The commissioners estimated that it was not necessary to investigate the incident when considering it a career fact.
But Mercedes subsequently requested the review, adding that it had “new evidence that was not available to the race stewards at the time of making their decision.”
Mercedes and Red Bull are summoned this Thursday to explain, before the instances decide if they should re-arbitrate what happened.
Christian Horner, the Red Bull boss, will repeat the argument he offered on Sunday: “He did not take advantage and there was no contact, it was simply a tough battle between both”.
The directors of the two teams are also summoned on Friday to speak at the press conferences held by the ‘team managers’ between free trials.
Champion in Saudi Arabia?
The explanations on the track will be given by the drivers on Saturday in qualifying and on Sunday in the race. The teams will have three preparation sessions to take the point of this unprecedented circuit in F1, common in MotoGP.
After Doha, which concludes a Mexico-Brazil-Qatar chain, there will be a weekend break. Then Saudi Arabia will arrive, on December 5, where Verstappen could have his first match ball, and the closing in Abu Dhabi (12 December).
F1 settles in the Gulf – where the first two races of next season will also be held in March 2022 – to close an unforgettable year, marked by the classic-scented duel between Hamilton and Verstappen. (D)
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
