Hamilton Verstappen battle headlines Saudi red-flag drama
Hamilton Verstappen battle headlines Saudi red-flag drama
The F1 title battle headlined the early drama in a Saudi Arabian Grand Prix twice red-flagged for incidents in the first 15 laps.
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes were in control when Mick Schumacher caused the first stoppage when damaging the barriers at turns 22 and 23 in a heavy accident in his Haas.
Mercedes had pitted in the safety car period ahead of the red flags being ordered, allowing championship leader Max Verstappen to take the lead and swap tyres without needing to make a pit stop.
Hamilton was left fuming on the team radio, constantly asking his team just why the red flags were required
After Hamilton seemingly dropped more than the obliged 10 car lengths behind his rival in the build-up to the second start, the Briton took the lead into turn one only to see the Dutchman cut across the second corner to retake position.
Esteban Ocon made his way into second as Hamilton was hampered whilst carnage ensued behind as Charles Leclerc turned around Sergio Perez, with George Russell rear-ended nastily by Nikita Mazepin.
That brought out the second red-flag period, with the FIA dropping Verstappen to third ahead of the second restart after a lengthy exchange with the Red Bull pit wall behind Ocon on pole and Hamilton.
With Red Bull switching back to mediums for the lap 17 restart and Hamilton on hards, Verstappen stole the march to retake the lead, with Hamilton trailing in second.
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F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
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