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It is still not very clear if for better or for worse, but the very fast and brand new circuit of Saudi Arabia has made a profound impact on its premiere at the
Formula 1. Its dizzying layout, in which large doses of courage are required to press the accelerator pedal, demands maximum attention from the pilots. Not only to try not to touch the walls, but also to anticipate any possible mishap from rivals. The general feeling is that the problem is not the 250 kilometers per hour on average, but the inability to see beyond ten meters in the many high-speed blind corners that make up the elongated profile of the circuit.
It does not seem, in any case, the most comfortable and peaceful circuit to decide a world title.
During qualifying, the protagonists were seen more lost than usual, crowded together when one of them took his time on the track to warm up the tires and found no space to go off the line, and too many times unable to cover a complete lap. clean. Jeddah it is a continuous shock for them, since they are not completely protected within its narrow walls.
Two tenths in the trash
For
Verstappen and Hamilton, fully involved in the fight for the world title, those sensations were gigantic. In the lead up to today’s big fight, the Englishman emerged victorious, grabbing a fundamental pole and also managed to put Bottas ahead of the Dutchman on the grid. “He is the best partner that has ever existed in this sport,” conceded the seven-time champion, almost firing the Finn. Next year you cannot expect the same docility from George Russell.
The British cannot be detracted, as he placed first with a 1: 27.5 which meant the best record of the entire weekend. But he would not have signed that pole if it had not been for a huge error by Verstappen, who was overcome by his excess of momentum. At the final attempt, he came out ready to destroy everything. Already in the first meters he brushed the wall, but did not flinch. He smashed his rival’s time in the first two sectors, but instead of ensuring he kept pushing. He played with fire and got burned. With two tenths of advantage he squeezed more to Red Bull and lost the rear of the car. The side touch against the wall resulted in a full-blown knockout. A pole to the trash. “It’s terrible,” admitted Verstappen, his face still flushed after getting out of the car. “I have tried to keep the car on the track, but it has gone away.”
Now the sun is a little brighter for Hamilton, who could even emerge as the leader of Arabia if the qualifying positions are maintained. The eight points of disadvantage that it maintains in the general seem now a less terrible slab. Know it too Verstappen, who will not find it easy to overtake the Mercedes because in Jeddah they have barely left room for improvisation. So, except for an accident or mechanical mishap by Hamilton, the possibility that there could be a champion before Abu Dhabi disappears, because all combinations involve the Dutchman winning or finishing second. “The car is fast and we will see what we can do in the race,” the Red Bull man consoled himself, still thinking about his failure and how to amend it in the race. It will be on the attack, that’s for sure.
Verstappen will be champion if:
- Win the race with the fastest lap (26 points) and Hamilton finishes sixth or worse.
- Win the race without the fastest lap (25 points) and Hamilton finishes seventh or worse.
- He finishes the race second with the fastest lap (19 points) and Hamilton finishes tenth or worse.
- He finished second without the fastest lap (18 points) and Hamilton did not score.
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