MADRID, 2 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and the English Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) will live this weekend their penultimate ‘battle’ for the conquest of the Formula 1 world title and they will do it again on a new track like the urban fast from Jeddah, scene of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix where a lively Fernando Alonso (Alpine) and regular Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) are waiting to shine.
Eight points separate the two candidates for the throne when there are only two races left to end what is being the most disputed World Cup in recent years and which seems destined to be decided on its last appointment, in Abu Dhabi, next week, something It hadn’t been in for a long time, so the pressure increases, although no one notices it.
“I’m more relaxed than I’ve ever been. I remember my first championship and even my second and third, with sleepless nights and all that kind of thing, and now I’m much more self-confident,” Hamilton warned.
“I think it is natural that when you are in this stage of your career you are better prepared than you were in your first or second. I think it is a natural progression, I also feel much better prepared and more experienced than when I first entered. Once in F1. I don’t think that makes a big difference, because otherwise it would have already been proven throughout the season, “Verstappen replied.
Anyway, the Dutchman could end this Sunday with emotion, although he needs ‘help’ from Hamilton. Hasselt’s needs a little carom to end the era of Stevenage’s and Mercedes’s dominance. Everything happens, first of all, to win on the Saudi circuit, unknown to all drivers, and if he also does it with a fast lap, his rival should finish sixth or worse, seventh or worse if it is not with the best time. If he is second and with a fast lap, the seven-time world champion must be tenth.
These scenarios are quite unlikely in ‘normal’ conditions, that is, without mechanical breakdowns or accidents, and to this it must be added that currently the current champion’s ‘black arrow’ seems to be stronger than the ‘RB16B’ after having dominated the last two Grand Prix, in Brazil and in Qatar, two races in which penalties have not stopped the two candidates from being ahead.
In addition, in principle, since no one on the grid has yet officially run on the Jeddah track, the conditions of this, with long straights and fast curves linked together, should now favor the German team more than the Austrian team, which perhaps needs scratch from where you can a few more tenths for a classification that appears vital.
ALONSO WANTS TO BE A LEADING PLAYER AGAIN
In Losail, Hamilton almost got half a second to Verstappen and everything indicates that the duel must be between the two of them despite the fact that on the Qatari circuit the podium was completed by the Spanish Fernando Alonso (Alpine), who signed a great career asserting his great qualification, in which he was fifth, but finally third after several penalties.
In this way, the veteran Asturian pilot, who received praise from around the world for his performance, arrives with high spirits to try to shine again and rush his options to fight the ninth position of the general classification of the championship to the French Pierre Gasly ( AlphaTauri), who has a good 15-point advantage over the Spaniard.
For his part, Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) goes to Saudi Arabia wanting to make up for himself after some last Grand Prix that due to some circumstances or others have not finished leaving him with a good taste in his mouth, although he maintains his maximum reliability with 13 consecutive races in the season, more than anyone, and as the only one, along with Antonio Giovinazzi (Alfa Romeo), who has not yet left in any appointment.
Sainz, seventh in Qatar, still has his teammate Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris’ McLaren within range to fight for the ‘Top 5’, but he needs to finally fit everything in a weekend to be able, especially the tires.
– SAUDI ARABIA GRAND PRIZE SCHEDULE.
-Friday.
First free practice session 14.30 – 15.30.
Second practice session 18.00 – 19.00.
-Saturday.
Third practice session 15.00 – 16.00.
Qualification 18.00 – 19.00.
-Sunday.
Carrera 18.30.