F1 news LIVE: Max Verstappen penalised as Lewis Hamilton accuses rival of going too far in Saudi Arabia

Follow all the latest F1 news and reaction after Lewis Hamilton won a chaotic Saudi Arabian Grand Prix to draw level with Max Verstappen in the standings with only one race to go. One of the most dramatic races of the season saw too stoppages as crashes brought out red flags, three grid starts, and a compelling battle between the two main protagonists in the title fight.

Verstappen twice had to give up his advantage after passing or holding off Hamilton illegally. With 13 laps to go Verstappen forced Hamilton off the track as the Mercedes attempted to pass, and Red Bull were instructed by race control to cede the position. Verstappen delayed, and when he did eventually slow down to do so, Hamilton was not prepared and ran into the back of his rival, damaging his front wing. Six laps later, Verstappen eventually handed the lead to Hamilton, who went on to win.

The result means Hamilton, chasing his eighth world title, is level on points with Verstappen, hunting his maiden championship of what is sure to be a stellar career in Formula 1. The pair both have 369.5 points and head to this weekend’s finale in Abu Dhabi with everything to play for. Follow all the latest news and updates below.

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No love lost between title rivals

Verstappen and Hamilton’s rivalry heated up once again in Saudi Arabia with their third collision of the season.

The British star was heard on his radio calling Verstappen “f***ing crazy” after he braked to let Hamilton pass. The action meant Hamilton crashed into the back of him and Verstappen has been penalised for it.

With just one race left, they are both on the same points with everything to play for in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Verstappen nominated for World Sport Star at BBC SPOTY

Max Verstappen has been nominated among a star-studded list for the World Sport Star award at BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.

The star has been named alongside Tom Brady, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Novak Djokovic, Saul Alvarez and Rachael Blackmore.

The awards will take place on 19 December, just a week after the F1 season is decided.

Hamilton feared being put out of Saudi Arabia GP

Hamilton may have collided with Verstappen but the crash didn’t end his race which is what he was fearing.

The win has put him neck-in-neck with the Dutchman for the title with just one race to go.

Hamilton said: “This isn’t the first time I have had to avoid collisions and that is how I felt in the moment, sometimes you say things in the heat of the moment and go back and re-watch things and maybe feel differently.

“In the moment that is how it felt but I just try to recompose myself, chase him down and keep fighting.

“It was clear that others around us were willing to take it to all sorts of levels to overtake so I just tried to keep it on the track and stay out of trouble – avoid incidents if I could and I was really, really grateful that I had a wing by the end.”

Lewis Hamilton feared Max Verstappen may put him out of Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

The pair head into next weekend’s final round in Abu Dhabi level on points.

Verstappen driver of the day

Despite coming second to Hamilton, fans voted Verstappen the driver of the day at the Saudi Arabia GP.

Have a look below at his reaction…

Red flag tyre rule “worst invented”, says Norris

Lando Norris has blasted the red flag tyre rule after not having his best race in Saudi Arabia.

The British driver pitted before the first red flag in Sunday’s race to change his tyres. However, when the red flag was in force other drivers took the opportunity to change their tyres.

Norris told Sky F1: “Probably the worst rule ever invented by someone, being able to change tyres under red flag.

“We said it last year already – not to take anything away from Pierre [Gasly] because people would probably say that’s what I’m trying to do, but with their Monza race last year Pierre got to change tyres for free.

“I don’t feel like it’s deserved in a way, it’s just complete luck and it’s luck that doesn’t need to be given to someone and that’s pretty much what it is, just given to someone.

“Just ruined our race today. Feels like you do so much just to get it all taken away. Sucks, because the team did a good job. I thought the car was pretty decent but this crap rule ruins everything.”

Where does Saudi Arabia leave the driver standings?

Well fans wanted a close title race and that is exactly what they have got!

Heading into the final week of the season title rivals Verstappen and Hamilton are on the same points. It is all to play for in Abu Dhabi this Sunday…

Marko unhappy with “one-sided decision making"

Red Bull boss Helmut Marko believes Mercedes are being favoured after Max Verstappen was handed a penalty for his crash with Lewis Hamilton.

The Dutchman had a 10 second penalty and two penalty points after being found at fault. However, Marko completely disagrees with the decision, telling Motorsport.com: “Our engineers are preparing that we can prove Max was constant with his braking, he didn’t brake test like Hamilton said,.

“Then he crashed into our car, he unfortunately put two cuts in the rear tyre. That was so severe that we couldn’t attack anymore. We had to take speed out. That was the one thing.

“The next thing was at the second start, Hamilton was more than 10 [car] lengths behind. [Sebastian] Vettel got penalised in Budapest when he did it. But with this manoeuvre he [Hamilton] was preparing his tyre better for the start.

“Then he pushed Max off, no reaction. So we feel we are not treated the same. It’s a very one-side tending decision-making here.”

And if the drama in the race wasn’t enough…

Max Verstappen was handed a time penalty after the race – though it hasn’t affected his standing.

He was found to be at fault for the strange crash between himself and rival Lewis Hamilton. As Verstappen slowed to let Hamilton pass the British driver hit the back of the Dutchman’s car.

Verstappen was given a 10 second time penalty but that sees him remain in second. He was also handed two penalty points on his licence.

The incident has added to the thrilling end to the F1 season which sees the title rivals on the same points with just one race remaining.

Horner says Hamilton was “messing around” before collision

Christian Horner has said Lewis Hamilton could have been “messing around” before he crashed into the back of Max Verstappen’s car at the Saudi Arabia GP on Sunday.

The collision happened as Verstappen was allowing Hamilton to pass. The Red Bull boss told Sky Sports: “We informed race control that we were going to give the place up and Max was lifting off. I think Lewis was lifting off.

“I don’t know if [Hamilton] was messing around looking for the DRS line. It was clear that we had given the place up.”

Lewis Hamilton ‘messed around’ in clash with Max Verstappen, suggests Red Bull chief

Hamilton won the Saudi Arabian GP but hit the back of Verstappen’s car earlier in the race, when the Red Bull driver was supposed to let the Briton past

Did Verstappen go “over the limit” in Saudi Arabia?

Well Hamilton certainly implied he thought so with the two drivers in their third collision of the season.

Verstappen was told to let Hamilton past and so slowed down but in doing so the British driver hit the back of the Dutchman’s car. Hamilton said: “There are some drivers who are over the limit and the rules don’t apply. Today I just tried to do my talking on the track and keep it between the white lines and do it the right way.”

Asked whether Verstappen was one of those drivers, Hamilton said: “He’s over the limit, for sure. I’ve avoided collision on so many occasions with the guy. I don’t mind being the one that always does that because you live to fight another day.”

For the full story:

Lewis Hamilton accuses Max Verstappen of going ‘over the limit’ at Saudi Arabian GP

‘There are some drivers who are over the limit and the rules don’t apply,’ Hamilton said of his title rival

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