F1 news LIVE as Red Bull admit Lewis Hamilton advantage over Max Verstappen at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton is chasing down Max Verstappen at the top of the Formula 1 standings, just eight points behind after winning the Qatar Grand Prix – his second straight victory following a huge performance in Brazil.

Just over a week remains until the next race, with the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix being the penultimate one of the season – then it’s off to Yas Marina in the United Arab Emirates. The long straights will unquestionably favour the Mercedes cars over those of Red Bull, especially with Toto Wolff revealing Hamilton will get his newest “spicy” engine back in the car in Jeddah.

Wolff and his Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner have been involved in back-and-forth encounters too, drawing amusement from some and disdain from others, as the fight goes on for the constructor championship as well as the drivers’ title. Elsewhere outside the big two, Fernando Alonso’s podium finish, the changing team line-ups for next year and even the additions of rules such as sprint qualifying have all been big talking points in Formula One recently.

Here’s all the latest F1 news and reaction as the build-up to Saudi Arabia continues:

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Red Bull don’t fear Lewis Hamilton’s ‘rocket engine’ in Saudi Arabia

Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko insists Max Verstappen has no need to fear Lewis Hamilton’s “rocket engine” ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Hamilton used a new engine system and showed prolific speed in Brazil, where he produced a stunning performance to take victory from tenth on the grid.

The Briton switched back to an older engine in Qatar without consequence, as Hamilton won again to narrow Verstappen’s lead in the championship to just eight points.

Mercedes will reinstall the new system ahead of next week’s inaugural race in Saudi Arabia, but Marko is adamant the FIA’s introduction of new rear-wing tests will limit Hamilton’s advantage.

Red Bull don’t fear Lewis Hamilton’s ‘rocket engine’ in Saudi Arabia

Helmut Marko insists the introduction of rear-wing tests will reduce Hamilton’s advantage

Formula 1 might not have survived without Sir Frank Williams, says Ecclestone

Sir Frank Williams’ death marks the end of an era in Formula 1, the sport’s former supremo Bernie Ecclestone has said.

Williams, the founder and erstwhile team principal of the British team, died on Sunday, aged 79.

Williams was part of the sport’s fabric for more than half-a-century. He oversaw 114 wins, as well as seven drivers’ and nine constructors’ world championships.

F1 might not have survived without Sir Frank Williams – Bernie Ecclestone

Williams’ team founder died aged 79 on Sunday

Saudi Arabia will suit Hamilton more than Verstappen, Horner admits

This weekend’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix will suit Lewis Hamilton more than Max Verstappen, according to Red Bull chief Christian Horner.

Dutchman Verstappen leads seven-time champion Hamilton by eight points heading into the final two races of the 2021 season.

But the Brit has reduced the gap in recent weeks after back-to-back victories in Brazil and Qatar.

And with the Saudi Arabian GP set to benefit cars built for faster circuits – such as Mercedes – Horner feels it is a track Hamilton will be confident of winning.

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