After 21 races in 19 countries across the world, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen cannot be separated. 369.5 points each. The ONLY thing splitting the pair is the fact that Verstappen has nine race wins to Lewis’ eight.
After 21 races in 19 countries across the world, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen cannot be separated. 369.5 points each. The ONLY thing splitting the pair is the fact that Verstappen has nine race wins to Lewis’ eight.
It is only the second time in history the top two in the championship have gone into the last race equal on points. It really is winner takes all.
In a season like no other, the all-important momentum has constantly switched between the pair. Lewis was able to put some early season pressure on Max, before the Dutchman roared back over the Austria double header to create a championship lead of 33 points.
A controversial DNF for Max at Silverstone saw that gap dramatically close, as Lewis failed to give in to the young gun. Momentum swung back to Max in the latter half of the season, but with Lewis picking up 3 wins in a row, we are back at a stalemate.
Max Verstappen took probably the most important pole of his career in yesterday’s qualifying session, ahead of Hamilton in P2 and McLaren’s Lando Norris in P3. The role of the second driver cannot be underestimated this weekend, with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez P4 and Mercedes’ man Valtteri Bottas in P6.
Strategy will have a massive implication on tomorrow’s race. Max Verstappen starts on pole, with the soft tyre, which should give him an advantage off the line, but could cost him dear as the race progresses as his tyres begin to lose life.
Hamilton meanwhile starts on the medium tyre, allowing him to run longer before needing to make a pit-stop and could give him an advantage as the race reaches the latter stages.
Whatever happens tomorrow – two absolute titans of Formula 1 have been head to head all season, and whoever wins, deserves it.