F1 | Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton: “Max wasn't interested in both of us finishing the race”

It hasn't happened since 1974: the two title contenders will reach the final race with equal points. The road that brought them to this point, however, was not smooth and without obstacles and above all controversies: at the height of the madness of the 2021 season - because madness we must call it - there is the Jeddah Grand Prix. Between red flags displayed for no apparent reason, Virtual Safety Car, misunderstandings and rear-end collisions, there was everything in this race. Lewis Hamilton held the lead at the start, and after Mick Schumacher's crash he returned to the pits to replace the tyres, while Verstappen remained out. Three laps later and Michael Masi shows the red flag. From then on, bad luck seemed to get worse for Lewis. The two restart, Max goes long and doesn't give back the position, because the session is interrupted again. Masi tries again, negotiating with Red Bull and Lewis, at his third start, is therefore first. Max regains the lead at the first corner and so the two continue until they overtake each other and Max is forced to give up the position again. The Dutchman seems to be feinting, because Max immediately takes the lead again, but then, when the Dutchman really slows down to give up the victory to his rival, there is perhaps a misunderstanding on Lewis' part with the wall, with the Briton hitting Verstappen and flying to victory with the damaged front wing. Lewis has one hundred and three victories, and is now level on points ahead of the final round in Abu Dhabi. For now, Verstappen comes out with a five-second penalty, but the stewards' work isn't finished yet - several drivers have been called up after the podium, including Hamilton. What is certain is that this season has been, until yesterday, spectacular, but the show staged in Jeddah by the race direction and by these two drivers was, unfortunately, not up to the standard of this world championship which deserved a different epilogue.

F1 | Hamilton is also under investigation, called for the collision with Verstappen

"I've been racing for so long, but this was tough: I tried to be as reasonable and tough as possible with all my experience over the years, to try to keep the car on the track and not do any damage. It was difficult, but the team persevered. There was a lot of fury against us in the last part of the season, so I'm proud of everyone” began Hamilton.

“I've avoided so many collisions with Max so far, I always have to be the one to do it to stay in the title race, to keep fighting – continued the world champion – I hadn't received the information and I didn't understand, I saw it slow down and then it started to move a little. It seemed to me that he wanted to make a crazy tactic, but when the message arrived he had just braked very hard and I couldn't avoid it, I rear-ended him. He wasn't interested in us both finishing the race, nothing changed for him, while I wanted to get to the finish line. I'm calm about Abu Dhabi, I'm ready to leave".

"I'm also grateful for the audience, it's great to be here. We did a great job this week, Valtteri was fantastic and scored a lot of points for the team. This is for all the men and women at the factory, it was a great weekend. I feel welcome here, the people are so sweet and the track is crazy, very difficult both physically and mentally, but I wouldn't change it. I look forward to the next one".