Saudi Grand Prix 🏁💥

Hamilton wins, Verstappen is second, points are tied for the last race next weekend. All quite straightforward. Except that there were:

3 starts;

2 safety cars;

4 virtual safety cars;

live on air negotiations over restart positions with the race director;

tyre decisions that turned out to be mistaken for both the main teams;

the "brake test" incident (Hamilton hit Verstappen);

Toto Wolff smashing his headphones on the desk;

the two penalties being given to Verstappen;

the Ferraris fighting with each other;

Verstappen letting Hamilton by and immediately repassing, then inexplicably giving the place back another time;

Hamilton getting fastest lap even with a damaged wing;

a pass on the last straight of the last lap;

surprise results for Ocon, Ricciardo and Gasly;

Hamilton and Bottas both needing a little sit down when they got out of their cars;

and Verstappen walking off the podium without celebrating.

I like Michael Masi, the race director. Since the teams' conversations with him started being broadcast recently he's been amazingly level headed when he's basically being told he's done it wrong. I don't think he's got anything wrong. A lesser person would get annoyed, but he stays calm. When he forgot about Ocon at one of the restarts and offered Red Bull the wrong starting position for Verstappen, he even stayed calm with himself and sorted that out.

The TV people said that in the final race next weekend, whoever finishes ahead wins the championship. Which is probably true. But if they both go out (say if they crash into each other), Verstappen wins on countback (he's won more races). And the championship could be decided in the stewards room after the race if one of them gets a time penalty.

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