2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Lore & Background

Hamilton took pole position by recording the fastest lap time of qualifying. Verstappen, his championship rival, was on pace to lap a faster time, but crashed at the final corner on his final flying lap. The race was stopped twice in the first 20 laps due to separate accidents; prior to the second red flag, Verstappen had assumed the lead because the Mercedes drivers made pit stops, but Hamilton attempted to pass Verstappen in turn one, so Verstappen veered off-course to defend his lead. F1 race director Michael Masi made a deal with Red Bull, permitting Verstappen to restart in third place, behind Esteban Ocon and Hamilton. Verstappen quickly got by the two drivers, but Hamilton gradually built a faster pace and tried to pass him in turn one on lap 37. Verstappen made another aggressive defence and was thus forced to give up his position. However, he braked suddenly in the 26th turn, causing Hamilton to run into his rear. Following another failed defence tactic on lap 42, Verstappen let Hamilton by for good on the next lap. After the race, Verstappen received a five-second time penalty for cutting the second turn and a ten-second time penalty for braking erratically, which did not affect his position.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights of Jeddah cut through the desert night as Lewis Hamilton navigated the final chicane, his heart pounding in rhythm with the engine. Beside him, Max Verstappen's Red Bull was inches away, a shadow he could not shake. The crowd roared, a deafening wall of sound that seemed to vibrate through the carbon fiber chassis. Hamilton knew this was it—the moment that would define the year. He braked late, diving for the inside line, but the gap was too narrow. Metal shrieked against metal as the two cars collided on Lap 56. In an instant, Verstappen spun into the barriers, his car damaged but capable of rejoining. Hamilton, miraculously still moving, limped toward the checkered flag to take the victory. Amidst the headline drama, McLaren secured vital points with Ricciardo and Norris crossing the line safely in fifth and sixth, ensuring their Constructors' Championship defense remained strong as the title fight headed to the final round.

Reader's Guide

Verstappen and Hamilton entered the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with 369.5 points each in the World Drivers' Championship, the first time since 1974 that the top-two drivers were level on points with one race remaining in an F1 season. Because of Sergio Pérez's involvement in an accident and subsequent retirement, Mercedes widened their gap over Red Bull Racing–Honda in the World Constructors' Championship.

Did You Know?

• The race was the 21st of 22 rounds on the 2021 schedule.
• The track was a 27-turn, 6.174 km street circuit designed by Carsten Tilke.
• Three DRS detection zones were implemented around the circuit.
• Nikita Mazepin made his final career start in this Grand Prix.
• Alpine ran a new livery to commemorate Castrol's 100th race as their sponsor.