F1’s title showdown as it happens
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Nate Saunders
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Laurence Edmondson
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F1 Editor- • Joined ESPN in 2009
• An FIA accredited F1 journalist since 2011
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are battling for the F1 title this weekend.
They’re level on points, so the stakes are clear. The driver who finishes ahead of the other will win, unless Hamilton is ninth and Verstappen finishes 10th with the fastest lap bonus point.
Verstappen would win any head-to-head tiebreaker due to having more victories this year than Hamilton.
The title fight has captured attention worldwide, and this race promises to be a record-breaking spectacle. ESPN is at the heart of the action in the Yas Marina paddock to cover it all.
Contents
Top stories
Max, Lewis face points deduction if crash decides title – FIA race director Michael Masi reminded both title contenders the race stewards have the power to deduct points or impose a race ban for any incident they feel was “unsportsmanlike”.
Verstappen thinks less of Hamilton – Speaking in a Thursday Zoom call, Verstappen said the events of this year have made him think less of seven-times champion Hamilton and his Mercedes.
F1 showdown like Squid Game – Christian Horner likened this weekend’s title decider to the bloody fight to the death in the popular Netflix show.
Alonso: Verstappen has been superior driver – In what might not be all that surprising, two-time champ Fernando Alonso said he is backing Verstappen over Hamilton this weekend.
Live blog
Saturday
11:30: After the madness of Sunday at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, this one has been fairly low key in comparison … so far. Hamilton and Verstappen sat alongside each other in a press conference on Thursday but no major shots were fired — the two did not pose for a handshake despite photographers being present.
Wolff and Horner did shake…
Source : espn
