Hamilton Uncomfortable Racing In Saudi Arabia
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will look to take an important step towards the F1 title when the championship rivals battle for pole position at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix today ahead of Sunday’s race. Mercedes set the early pace in Friday’s practice sessions in Jeddah, with Hamilton topping FP1 and teammate Valtteri Bottas leading the way in FP2 on a wickedly quick track at the Corniche Circuit, but Verstappen was not far behind in the Red Bull. Indeed, the Dutchman then went fastest on the softs in FP3 on Saturday afternoon, beating Hamilton by two-tenths.
Hamilton converted from pole position at the Qatar Grand Prix to cut Verstappen’s championship lead to eight points last time out, and a similar starting position for the penultimate race of the season could be vital in what is a brand-new street circuit where overtaking may be difficult. The seven-time champion was happy with Mercedes’ pace but did raise some concerns over his car’s one-lap showings, revealing that more work was needed ahead of Saturday’s qualifying session.
“We’re not rapid on the single lap, I would say, compared to the others, but our long-run pace seemed like it was not too bad… Who knows what’s going on?” Hamilton said, while adding that the Jeddah Corniche Circuit was “unbelievably quick” during Friday’s practice sessions. “It really is incredibly fast,” he said. “But if you can get the rhythm, it’s beautiful to drive.” Follow all the build-up and results from qualifying LIVE below:
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying
Lewis Hamilton eventually does find some grip as he tops the leaderboard at the end of Q2, leading Sergio Perez and then Max Verstappen by two-tenths.
Hamilton was out on track for four more laps than Verstappen, which could have an impact on his starting tyres tomorrow.
Ricciardo, Raikkonen, Alonso, Russell and Sainz are all out. The Ferrari driver did not have a good session there, almost running his car into the wall after catching a kerb.
Jamie Braidwood4 December 2021 17:44
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying
Max Verstappen goes sub-1:28 as he goes top of the leaderboard inside the opening minutes of Q2.
Valtteri Bottas goes second, three-tenths behind Verstappen, but Hamilton is 0.7s off the pace with 10 minutes of Q2 to go.
And get this from Hamilton: “I don’t know what we’re doing, I’ve got no grip out here.”
Jamie Braidwood4 December 2021 17:33
BREAKING: Hamilton escapes grid penalty but hit with reprimand
Lewis Hamilton has escaped a grid penalty after being summoned to the stewards for two separate incidents during final practice session at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
It was announced that Hamilton would face no further action after he was cleared of failing to ignore double yellow flags.
But Hamilton was hit with a reprimand and Mercedes were fined €25,000 for a separate incident in which he impeded Nikita Mazepin.
Jamie Braidwood4 December 2021 17:30
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying
Both Aston Martins are eliminated at the end of P1! Vettel and Stroll drop out and are joined by Latifi, Schumacher and Mazepin.
Perez ends P1 fastest with Bottas second.
Jamie Braidwood4 December 2021 17:21
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying
Five minutes to go in Q1! Latifi, Schumacher, Vettel, Stroll and Mazepin are the drivers at risk.
Jamie Braidwood4 December 2021 17:16
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix qualifying
Max Verstappen returns to the top of the leaderboard midway through Q1 after clocking a 1:28.285. Carlos Sainz was fastest before then and he and Charles Leclerc seem to have the advantage of the McLarens so far. Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have also set times in the 1:28s.
Jamie Braidwood4 December 2021 17:14
Hamilton to face no further action for yellow flag incident
Lewis Hamilton will face no further action after he was cleared of failing to ignore double yellow flags during practice at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Hamilton was summoned to the stewards for two separate incidents in Jeddah and the Mercedes driver could yet be penalised after was he caught up with Nikita Mazepin.
The FIA says the “on-board video clearly shows there was no yellow flag displayed, no yellow lights were displayed to that driver and the yellow warning light was not visible on the driver’s steering wheel.”
Jamie Braidwood4 December 2021 17:10
Saudi Arabia GP
Qualifying is underway in Jeddah! Max Verstappen goes fastest in Q1 but Lewis Hamilton ran wide during his first flying lap.
Jamie Braidwood4 December 2021 17:06
Breaking: No further action for Hamilton for double waved yellows
The FIA says the “on-board video clearly shows there was no yellow flag displayed, no yellow lights were displayed to that driver and the yellow warning light was not visible on the driver’s steering wheel.”
Their verdict adds: “The Race Director reported to the Stewards that the double yellow flag warning on the FIA Marshalling System was activated at Light Panel Number 6 accidentally, for less than one second.
“Unlike further incidents this year, there was no yellow flag or yellow light displayed to the driver hence no breach of the regulations has occurred.”
Jamie Braidwood4 December 2021 16:51
BREAKING: No further action for Hamilton for double waved yellows
Lewis Hamilton will face no further action for not slowing down during double yellow flags, the FIA have confirmed.
However, there were two incidents being investigated and we are still yet to hear the verdict for getting caught up with Mazepin.
Jamie Braidwood4 December 2021 16:47
